Entire Cherry County GOP Board resigns amid endorsement pressure

VALENTINE, Neb. - All four members of the Cherry County GOP Board have resigned, citing pressure to endorse a political candidate. Former Board Chair Cathy Morris says the board faced mounting pressure from the Cherry County Central Committee members to endorse 43rd Legislative District Senate candidate Tony Tangwall, who is running against fellow Republican Tanya Storer.

“Our job is not for us to be campaigning for any candidate. It’s about getting people to register as Republicans and unify the party,” Morris told News Channel Nebraska.

“We wanted to be on the board to promote Christian values of the Republican Party. It came to a point where we couldn’t get anything done, unless we endorsed him,” said former Board Secretary Joy Miles.

According to Morris, around a year ago the board was prohibited from endorsing races involving multiple Republican candidates.

“The state constitution changed in August of 2023, so now you can. It’s not just happening in Cherry County, but across the state,” Morris said. “Officers felt that it led to so much division that they resigned.”

According to Miles, Tangwall had requested the endorsement, while Storer had not. Tangwall told News Channel Nebraska that he sent an email asking to be endorsed, but didn't badger anyone.

"I was told they wouldn’t be taking a vote on it, so that was the end of it,” said Tangwall.

Miles and Morris both said that the pressure didn't come from Tangwall or his campaign. Former committee member Jim Lambley, who resigned in August citing "the drama," offered a different perspective. He contended that the committee wasn’t pressuring the board but had simply followed protocol by requesting a vote. According to Lambley, the required number of committee members called for a meeting to hold the vote, and a meeting wasn’t allowed.

"It didn't make a difference whether the vote approved the endorsement or not, but Cathy wouldn't allow a vote. According to the constitution, if enough people ask for a vote, you need to allow it," said Lambley. 

The other board members who resigned were Vice Chair Craig Miles and Treasurer Shirley Schuman. Lambley says Schuman is trying to rescind her resignation and remain on the board.

So what happens next? Committee member Carolyn Semin says work is already being done to find new board members.

"The district chairman will be assisting the Cherry County GOP and calling a meeting of the delegates in the very near future to elect new board members," said Semin.