The Lexington County Republican Party chair elected in April claims she is still the elected chair, stating that anything indicating otherwise is untrue.

But that’s not the position of the people now communicating via the party’s official channels. The county GOP’s Facebook recently announced that Pamela Godwin had been removed from her position as chair, with 1st Vice Chair Mark Weber assuming the position of acting chair. Godwin told the Chronicle  that she remains the elected chair and has not been removed.

Per the party’s Facebook, Godwin was served with a letter of dismissal earlier this month., following the gathering of necessary signatures through a petition. 

Abby Zilch, the state GOP's communications director, said Godwin still holds the title of chair.

"The job of any Republican county party organization is to help us grow our numbers and organize in order to register voters, turn out voters and win on Election Day,” state party Chair Drew McKissick said in a statement provided to the Chronicle regarding the Lexington party’s current schism. “Anything that doesn't help accomplish that goal is a waste of time and resources.”

The fractured party held dueling meetings Sept. 11, with Godwin’s being held at the Lexington Chamber while Weber’s was moved to the Flight Deck Restaurant right up the road. Godwin and Chamber CEO/President Angelle LaBorde told the Chronicle that there was extra security hired at the meeting there.

“We did have security last night, which isn't unusual for a political party meeting. Historically, the LCRP has often had a cop present at meetings,” Godwin told the Chronicle. “[Sept. 11] we did have extra security in case some suspended members from the 'splinter group' decided to come. Thankfully, they did not show up and all was peaceful.”

Both meetings declared they had a quorum at the dueling meetings, but this is not possible under party rules.

“A quorum of the Lexington County Executive Committee shall be one third (1/3) of all organized precincts, including the chairman,” Rule Seven in the party’s rulebook states. “In case of a vacancy occurring in the office of Lexington County Republican Party Chairman, Vice-Chairman, or State Executive Committeeman, a quorum for the purpose of electing an individual to fill the vacancy shall be one third (1/3) of all organized precincts.”

Godwin stated that her meeting was upbeat and passed amazing resolutions. A ranking official, not in attendance of Godwin’s meeting, said that the chamber’s windows were covered up and media was not permitted to enter the meeting.

The members at Weber’s meeting declared that all resolutions passed under Godwin’s leadership are currently invalid and “do not exist” as they did not go through the proper steps. Party members at his meeting established an interim rules and regulations committee, which they say will take all the resolutions passed since Godwin was elected chair and put them through the correct process.

Godwin told the Chronicle that the party is taking action to get their intellectual property back, along with their social media accounts.

“Our Facebook and webpage have been hijacked/cloned by a handful of members from the 'splinter group.'” she said.

A Sept. 10 Facebook post from the party stated that three members are being sued by Lisa Dowdy, who is co-chair of a “Disciplinary Committee” the post claimed was created by Godwin.

The three people allegedly being sued are 3rd Vice Chair John Allen, Treasurer Jackie Fowler, and Preston Baines. According to the post, Dowdy is asking for $7,000 per person and other miscellaneous items.

Weber told the Chronicle that they don’t know the exact reason why Godwin is pursuing legal action against them, mentioning that throughout the years she and Angus Godwin, her husband, have been involved in multiple legal activities. 

Godwin said she is unaware of any current lawsuits but that she will take whatever steps necessary to secure the party’s property.