Greer to challenge Weh for GOP state party chair

C. Earl Greer of T or C said today he will challenge Allen Weh of Albuquerque to become chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico.

Delegates will pick a new chair when they meet at 10 a.m. Saturday in Albuquerque. Rumors have circulated for weeks that Greer and Bernalillo County Republican Party Chairman Fernando C de Baca might challenge Weh. I was unable to reach C de Baca for comment.

But Greer confirmed he’s running, saying his decision follows the repeated encouragement of a number of county party chairs throughout the state. He plans to make a formal announcement Thursday morning.

“This isn’t anything against the current chair, Allen Weh,” Greer said. “It’s just a lot of consensus that we need some new direction.”

In particular, Greer said, a number of county chairs were disappointed with the party’s inability to capitalize on scandals involving state Democrats in the November election like Democrats did on national scandals involving Republicans.

“That was a huge deal that just kept coming up with all the county chairs,” Greer said.

Weh said he learned of Greer’s candidacy late this afternoon.

“It’s America. Anybody can run for anything,” he said. “Obviously, he’s got friends. I’ve got friends.”

A Republican delegate who didn’t want to be quoted by name on such a sensitive matter said he believes Weh will have the support to continue in the position. Though many Republicans were disappointed that they didn’t capture any statewide seats from Democrats or gain any legislative seats last year, Weh is an excellent fundraiser, the source said.

And, he pointed out, Greer ran for Congress several years ago and the Public Regulation Commission last year and lost both times. In addition, he ran for a leadership position in the state party shortly after losing his congressional bid, and lost that, too. He hasn’t proven that he can win anything, the Republican said.

Greer said he’s confident he has the votes to beat Weh.

“There are enough delegates and enough of the county chairs who have said they’re with me and for me that I think we do,” he said. “But, if nothing else, we’re going to make sure some of our issues are addressed.”

Greer said he didn’t announce sooner, despite rumors, because he “wanted to make sure that this is what the grassroots want to happen” and also because he didn’t want a prolonged campaign that had the potential to get nasty and split the party.

I’ll have an article Thursday on the Democratic Party’s state convention, which is being held in Las Cruces on Saturday.