Washington County, Tennessee Republican Party Executive Committee Evenly Deadlocked Between Ideological Factions, Chair Goodrich Calls For Unity

Image Credit: Danielle Goodrich / Facebook & Washington County Republican Party

The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –

There is a new Sheriff in town, and her name is Danielle Goodrich. Her election as Chair of the Washington County Republican Party is not setting well with a small number of the old-guard establishment players according to certain observers. 

Like other county GOP organizations across Tennessee, Washington County had a change of leadership that occurred during the last party reorganization meeting. 

Goodrich, a self-described constitutional conservative, responded to a letter from James Wheeler to state party officials asking for a redo of the County Executive Committee elections. 

Goodrich stated the following, in part, in her response to Tennessee GOP officials concerning Wheeler’s letter.

“Four people from my slate were elected and three from the other slate were elected. The issue is once you count in the auxiliary organizations, SEC, and Past Chair, it becomes 6-6. As you have pointed out, we are in a transition phase much like the pre-Eisenhower years. Transitions are difficult. Six of the board members used to have full control of the board, now they don’t. Instead of working together with the new members of the CEC, they have protested the meetings, declined to serve on committees, and generally worked to impede the functioning of the committee and the implementation of new initiatives.” 

In a statement made for this news report, Goodrich continued with the following comments. 

“The solution is not to overthrow the will of the people as Mr. Wheeler recommends. It is not to redo the election because some don’t like the outcome. The solution for Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Malone, and others is to work to find common ground with the other members of the committee, to support our initiatives to expand and strengthen our party, and to work with us to heal the divisions.

Mr. Wheeler mentioned in his letter that we filed with the Attorney General against the East TN Republican Club. That is incorrect. We have not filed anything. However, now I’m wondering what was filed and why? Is there an active investigation?”  – said Danielle Goodrich

Wheeler is asking the Tennessee Republican Party to intervene in breaking the voting deadlock. His letter to the state party chairman is asking for a redo of the reorganization election in which Washington County republicans elected Goodrich as chair. A complete copy of Wheeler’s letter, and Goodrich’s response is linked at the end of this article.

Goodrich properly points out in her response letter to the state party chairman that she and the other county executive committee members were elected by the party membership at the reorganization meeting.

One former chair candidate and past leader of the Young Republicans of Washington County took to social media to express his views on the issue as follows.

“My very first job out of college was working for the Leadership Institute, an organization that trains activists to be effective in advancing conservative principles. Since leaving the Institute and moving back home almost 25 years ago, I have consistently been involved in my county party. I’ve been elected a delegate or precinct chair in almost every reorganization since 2004, and I am also a past chairman of the Young Republicans in Washington County. In 2023 I ran unsuccessfully for County GOP chairman.” – said Kurt Fagerburg, Washington County Republican

Chairman Goodrich also took to social media stating the following.

“We had a legitimate election, it was certified, and we are accomplishing the campaign promises despite obstruction. They should not overturn our fair election because there are sour grapes. If they want it to go a different way they need to get more people there than we do next time. But throwing out a fair election is not the right remedy.” – said Daniel Goodrich

In preparation for this article, The Tennessee Conservative News reached out to the state GOP chairman for comment. As of publication time, no response from the state party has been made.

WJHL News reported that it too had reached out to the state party chair with no response.

To view a copy of the Wheeler letter to the state GOP chairman, and Chairman Goodrich’s response letter, a link is provided HERE.

About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.