GOP Executive Director Resigning

The executive director of the Missouri GOP is stepping down later this month, according to a letter obtained by ABC 17 News.Lloyd Smith has served as the Republican executive director for four years and is now seeking the party’s nomination for the 8th Congressional District seat that current Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will be vacating next month.Smith served as Emerson’s chief of staff for 13 years.Smith faces challenges for the nomination from current Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, former state treasure Sarah Steelman and former Rep. Wendell Bailey, among others.Smith sent a letter to the Republican State Committee earlier this week, entitled “The Future.” You can read it below in its entirety:”Current and former members of the Republican State Committee,It has been an honor to serve as Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party for nearly 4 years. Working together with you, our volunteers, our donors, and our grassroots activists across the state, we have achieved historic victories.In 2010, with your outstanding help, we elected a US Senator, defeated a Democrat State Auditor (the first time a down-ballot incumbent was defeated in 4 decades), defeated an entrenched Democrat Congressman, and made huge gains in the General Assembly and at the county level. In 2012, Missouri voted for Mitt Romney by the largest margin of any presidential candidate since 1984, achieved veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly for the first time in history, elected each of our 6 GOP members of Congress with more than 60% of the vote, and increased our strength at the county level.And weve done all of this with less support from the national party structure than ever before.Obviously, more needs to be done at the grassroots to win at all levels, and you will be a critical part of that effort. But Im proud of what we have achieved together, and we should be excited about the opportunities we have to continue growing our Party in the future. However, over the past several months, I have expressed to Chairman Coleand to many of youthat the 2012 cycle would be my last with the Missouri Republican Party.Now, with the imminent resignation of Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, who I served as Chief of Staff for 13 years, my family and I have a new opportunity to serve the Congressional District I love. As many of you know, I have decided to seek the 8th District Committees nomination. This campaign will require my full attention, so Tuesday, January 15, will be my final day as Executive Director.I have spoken with Chairman Martin and have pledged to do whatever I can to ensure a smooth and successful transition, and I appreciate his understanding.As I look forward, regardless of the outcome of the 8th District race, I can assure you that I will continue to support the Republican Party and our great nation, which continues to be, in Ronald Reagans words, the last best hope of man on earth.Marlys and I thank you for your support, and we hope youll keep us in your prayers, just as we will keep the Missouri Republican Party in ours.Sincerely,Lloyd Smith”