Washington County Republican Central Committee member resigns

March 05, 2008|By ANDREW SCHOTZ

ANNAPOLIS -- A Washington County Republican Central Committee member resigned Monday, the same day the committee announced its recommendation for an open state delegate seat.

In his resignation letter, John B. Dunlap didn't give an exact reason for leaving the committee after three years, and pledged to keep supporting Republican candidates and causes.

Asked during a phone interview to explain why he resigned, Dunlap would only say, "I think a process highlights the potential conflicts I talk about (in the letter)."

One passage in his resignation letter refers to possible conflict.

"I am not sure where life will take me, but I am considering potentially seeking public office ...," it says. "Any member of the Central Committee who is considering a run for a partisan public office should not serve as a member of the Committee. The potential to put one's self interests ahead of the goals of the Central Committee creates a natural conflict that is far too great to avoid."

Dunlap provided a copy of the letter to The Herald-Mail on Tuesday.

By phone, Dunlap acknowledged that the office he might seek is a House of Delegates seat.

Dunlap lives in Hagerstown, in Subdistrict 2C, which is represented by Del. John P. Donoghue, a Democrat whose current term expires in 2010.

Committee Chairwoman Penny Pittman couldn't be reached on her cell phone Tuesday evening.

Committee member Mildred "Mickey" Myers said she wasn't sure why Dunlap resigned.

She said she was sad to see Dunlap leave, calling him "a great voice" and hard worker for the GOP.

"I know he has often talked about running for office," she said.

Philip Baker-Shenk, who also is on the committee, declined to comment.

On Monday, the day Dunlap resigned, the committee announced it had recommended Andrew Serafini to fill the Subdistrict 2A delegate seat vacated last month by Robert A. McKee.

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