Buncombe County GOP kicks Don Yelton off committee for ‘party disloyalty’

Posted on by Jake Frankel

The executive committee of the Buncombe County Republican Party found longtime political activist Don Yelton guilty of party disloyalty, voting June 25 to strip him of his duties as precinct chair and kick him off the committee until the next party convention in March of 2013.

However, the move wasn’t unanimous, and former party chair Robert Malt as well as Gary Shoemaker resigned in protest from their own leadership roles in the party. Malt has been very critical of current party chair Henry Mitchell; he currently serves as executive director of conservative group, Buncombe Forward. Shoemaker serves as its director.

Yelton says he plans to appeal the decision to the district and possibly state levels. He wasn’t able to attend the June 25 meeting to defend himself due to work commitments, he says. Instead, former party chair Chad Nesbitt spoke on his behalf.

For more on this issue read the below posts:

Don Yelton defends himself against charges by BCGOP leadership

Buncombe GOP tables security amendment, moves to kick Yelton off committee

Tensions erupting among different factions of Buncombe GOP

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.
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3 thoughts on “Buncombe County GOP kicks Don Yelton off committee for ‘party disloyalty’”

  1. timothypeck

    Well, that was painful. But be of good cheer. All is not lost for Yelton. There are still some openings at Clown College.
    …………………..

  2. bsummers

    “There are still some openings at Clown College.”

    Careful, Tim(1). A few more comments like that from you, they might rebuke Don Yelton for the hostile climate he’s created.

    All joking aside, I’ve always sort-of liked Don (other than his choice of sidekick, second, what-have-you), and I’m sorry he’s going through this.

    Call a guy “disloyal” because he supported an independent in the primary? That’s extra crispy.

    Not that I don’t enjoy a good BCGOP meltdown…

  3. Pingback: 2022 General Voter Guide: Buncombe County Board of Commissioners | Mountain Xpress

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