Kaufmann says Republican Party of Iowa, GOP central committees ‘do not have ability’ to censure over DisRespect for Marriage Act

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Earlier this year, the Mahaska County GOP Central Committee censured Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks after she voted in support of the (Dis)Respect for Marriage Act. Shortly thereafter, Kaufmann criticized those who formally censured the first-term congressional representative.

Kaufmann said central committees — and the Republican Party of Iowa as a whole — do not have the power to formally censure.

“County committees do not have the ability to censure,” Kaufmann said. “There is nothing in our bylaws that talks about censure. Even the Republican Party of Iowa cannot censure. It’s a word to show disapproval.”

You can read about Mahaska County’s censure of Miller-Meeks here.

It was back in August that Kaufmann instead called for “party unity” at a Republican fundraiser.

“There is no perfect candidate,” he was quoted as saying. “If you think there is one, run then! This is no time to parse words. This is no time to think about: ‘I have to have agreement 99 percent of the time.’ You might say: ‘Well, I don’t agree with them all the time.’ I don’t care! And neither should you. Folks, we’re a team. This is a full-contact sport.”

At issue was the fact the Republican Party of Iowa platform plainly states the importance of marriage to Republicans. Despite this platform statement, Representatives Ashley Hinson and Miller-Meeks voted for the (Dis)Respect for Marriage Act.

And Senator Joni Ernst followed last week.

In response to Ernst’s vote, the Mahaska County GOP Central Committee unanimously censured Ernst. The Pocahontas County GOP Central Committee followed on Saturday.

Author: Jacob Hall