Joshua Griffin
Let me be unequivocal: I am a proud Republican, an unwavering patriot and a Texan by origin who found a second home in Colorado. As a military veteran and an African-American Republican, my journey may raise eyebrows. Yet, this journey is a testament to the diverse and inclusive history of the Republican Party, which has consistently championed the rights and welfare of all Americans, regardless of their backgrounds.
Throughout its history, the Republican Party has played an integral role in advancing the rights and well-being of the African-American community in the United States. From its staunch opposition to slavery, to the election of the first freed black congressmen, to the fight against segregation, the Republican Party has been a catalyst for change. It is worth noting the party holds a significant place in the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Sr., whose values of individual liberty, personal responsibility and equal opportunity resonated deeply with many African Americans, including the iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
My affiliation with the Republican Party is not an attempt to deny my heritage or become a mouthpiece for others. It is rooted in my belief in the party’s principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility and individual liberty. Moreover, it is a recognition of the positive contributions the Republican Party has made in advancing the rights and freedoms of black Americans throughout history.
With the “why” of my Republican allegiance clarified, I must now address my concerns regarding the current direction of our party.
The current Colorado Republican Party, led by the current El Paso County chair and vice chair, along with the recently elected state party chair, has raised legitimate concerns with its conduct. It appears to be veering toward a dictatorial path, exemplified by several alarming trends.
Purging dissent: The party leadership is actively purging members who do not conform to their extremist ideology or voting patterns. This includes voting to remove — without following bylaws — individuals like former state Reps. Lois Landgraf and Kit Roupe, and party activist Candice Boyer, simply because of their association with organizations bearing the term “Republican.” This purge strategy seems designed to maintain control through fear and conformity.
Disenfranchising voters: In November 2016, Colorado voters approved Proposition 108, ushering in a new era of inclusivity within the Republican Party. This visionary ballot measure allowed unaffiliated voters to participate in non-presidential primaries without the need for party registration, with 53% of voters recognizing its value. Proposition 108 not only ensured unaffiliated voters had a voice in selecting Republican general-election candidates, but also supported Republican candidates in gathering vital ballot signatures.
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Yet, on Sept. 30, the state party chair and secretary, in alignment with El Paso County leadership, voted to exclude nearly 1 million Republican voters from participating in the primary process. Thankfully, with help from our members in the rural counties, we the true Republicans were able to stop their coup. Nevertheless, their position undermines the core principles of democracy and inclusive elections our party cherishes.
Financial responsibility and transparency: Historically, the Republican Party has been a staunch advocate of fiscal responsibility. However, recent developments paint a different picture. Fundraising challenges, unpaid bills and staff salaries, all while pursuing a questionable lawsuit that risks disenfranchising 1 million voters, raise questions about our party’s financial leadership. Furthermore, reports of the state party chair paying himself for consulting services from his own company (yes, he paid himself with party donations for consulting himself) create concerns of self-enrichment and corruption.
Attacking elected leaders: The party chair’s consistent attacks on elected officials for not meeting his personal definition of being “Republican enough” raise fundamental questions about the direction of our party. These attacks appear to prioritize loyalty to a particular individual over party values, appear to allocate resources to unproductive lawsuits and undermine initiatives with national security implications and veterans’ employment opportunities. One may come to the conclusion the attack from the chair toward a longtime, beloved congressman is nothing more than a move to place himself as the potential replacement and/or opponent in the next race for the 5th Congressional District seat. Nevertheless, I find his actions disgusting and displaying a lack of care for veterans. That’s not surprising considering the chair never has donned a uniform and served his country.
In this pivotal moment, we must come together to preserve the Republican Party’s core values of inclusivity, accountability and representation. We face exclusionary measures that threaten our principles, but through unity, we can ensure a future where these values shine even brighter. The examples of our current leadership confirm concerns we may drift away from being a party of principles, potentially becoming a party led by demagogues and ideologues. Those of us with sound judgment must take action now to preserve our party’s integrity before it’s too late.
It’s time to return to the historical principles that define the Republican Party and strive for a more inclusive, fiscally responsible, and transparent future. Only then can we honor our party’s legacy in advancing equality and individual liberty in America.
Joshua Griffin, a candidate for the GOP nomination for House District 21 in southern El Paso County, is a member of the central committee of the Colorado Republican Party. Griffin is a U.S. Army veteran whose service included 14 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He also played football for the Colorado State University Rams while continuing to serve active duty.
