Cantrell says he's not resigning
NWI Times
Jan 9, 2003
nwitimes.com/news/local/cantrell-says-he-s-not-resigning/article_6a0bc648-c937-514d-a7be-7bccba05ff6a.html
HAMMOND -- Robert Cantrell said Wednesday he will continue to serve East Chicago's Republican Party as its chairman, despite a call by some among the GOP faithful to resign.
"I am not resigning," Cantrell said. "And I'm not about to."
Lake County GOP Chairman Roger Chiabai met recently with Cantrell to discuss whether Cantrell would relinquish the helm because of perceptions within the party that Cantrell either had been, or soon would be, involved in the Hammond mayoral campaign of Democrat Tom McDermott Jr.
McDermott, a partner with Cantrell's son in a law firm, is a recent Democratic convert who plans to file candidacy papers for mayor, a post held by Republican Duane Dedelow Jr.
Chiabai, who did not ask for Cantrell's resignation, was told by Cantrell he would not step down as East Chicago GOP chairman because he is not involved in McDermott's race or the race of any other Democrats.
Yet, Cantrell left the door open for such a move.
Cantrell said he told Chiabai he would step down if he gets engaged in any race involving any Democrats.
"I will not be involved in any race involving any Democrats at this stage," Cantrell said. "Now, what happens in May -- I'll have to look at it at that time."
When asked whether he will run or promote McDermott's campaign if he wins the primary, Cantrell answered, "I'm saying anything's possible."
The meeting took place the same day Dedelow and at least one ally, Republican Randy Peters, drove to Indianapolis to meet with Jim Kittle Jr., chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, to ask for a fair playing field in the upcoming election.
"I told Kittle that if there were any people in their own party that are working against us, like we believe Cantrell is, that he would look into it, and, if appropriate, take some action," Dedelow said.
Kittle said he would.
When Dedelow was asked to comment on Cantrell's decision, he said he wasn't surprised.
"I guess we'll see in the end who is playing it straight in regards to Republican Party politics," Dedelow said. "I'm going to let Mr. Kittle do what he said and go from there."
Assertions made of Cantrell's involvement in the Democratic Party spring from a comment Tom Philpot made when he won the 2002 election for county clerk, one crediting Cantrell for his success. He also attended McDermott's first, $25-per-plate fund-raiser June 28.
Cantrell said the only help he gave to Philpot was advice, and it came because he had no Republican opposition in the primary.
"Originally, McDermott was running as a Republican, so when he declared he was turning Democrat, that's when I had to step back," Cantrell said.
McDermott said Tuesday that Cantrell has had no participation -- financial or otherwise -- in the race since he announced his candidacy for mayor June 28.
Cantrell said he thinks the Dedelow camp is worried about the impact McDermott is having and warned that if the "harassment" and "character assassination" continues, he will step down and campaign against Dedelow full time.
"I'll resign as city chair and turn Democrat in June, and I'll campaign full time," Cantrell said. "It's not a threat. I'm just saying, 'If you slap me, I may slap you back.' "
No comments:
Post a Comment