Chapters of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans put together a statement on Wednesday “disavowing” yesterday’s endorsements and actions by the Iowa Federation of College Republicans executive board, calling it a “shameful abuse of power.”
“We are dismayed with IFCR’s decision to go forth with primary endorsements, despite severe opposition from many IFCR chapters,” the release said.
Alex Byrnes, the former chair of the IFCR, said he is disheartened by the actions of the new IFCR executive board.
“Instead of fulfilling their duty to represent the best interest of their chapters they have chosen a path of self-benefit, harming the chapters and the credibility of the Federation,” Byrnes said.
Drake College Republican co-chairs John Altendorf and Riley Swanson issued a joint quote as well, saying the Third District endorsement was made without consideration or consent of the largest chapter in the district.
The release indicates that individual chapters have made endorsements on a local level in their own congressional districts, but that IFCR should maintain a “long-standing precedent” of remaining neutral in all Republican primary races.
The letter was signed by:
The University of Iowa College Republicans
Drake College Republicans
Dordt University College Republicans
Loras College Republicans
Northwestern College Republicans
Buena Vista College Republicans
University of Dubuque College Republicans
