(Des Moines, IA) A.J. Spiker unexpectedly announced his resignation as chair of the Republican Party of Iowa effective at the end of this month. He did not indicate why he was resigning. Below is the press release just sent by the party tonight.
DES MOINES, Iowa- On Friday, March 7th, in a letter sent to members of the Republican Party of Iowa’s State Central Committee, Chairman A.J. Spiker announced he was stepping down from his role as Chairman of the party effective upon election of a new State Chairman. In the letter mailed Friday afternoon, Spiker announced that elections for a new Chairman would take place during the State Central Committee’s quarterly business meeting on March 29th.
Spiker served as a member of the Republican Party of Iowa’s State Central Committee from April 2010 until he was elected State Chairman in February 2012. Spiker was then re-elected in January 2013. Spiker leaves the Republican Party of Iowa with more than $300,000 cash on hand, zero debt and with a voter registration advantage for Republicans over the Iowa Democratic Party.
Details for the Chairman election are as follows:
Saturday, March 29th, 2014 at 11:00am at the Republican Party Headquarters at 621 E. 9th St. Des Moines, IA 50309.
Update: State Central Committee member Jamie Johnson encouraged the SCC to appoint newly elected co-chair Danny Carroll as acting chair until a new State Central Committee is seated in June and then elect a whole new leadership team.
Update 2: Apparently Spiker has resigned to work for Team Rand 2016.
Update 3 (3/10/14): Clarification, he’s going to work for RandPAC. Here is the presser they sent out today:
DES MOINES, IA – Iowa Republican Party Chairman A. J. Spiker will join RANDPAC as a political advisor. Prior to becoming the Chairman and a voting member of the Republican National Committee, Spiker served as one of the 17 members of Iowa’s State Central Committee and in 2011 served as co-chairman of Congressman Ron Paul’s Iowa campaign for the Republican nomination.
RANDPAC Executive Director Doug Stafford stated: “We are pleased that A. J. will be joining us, his experience in Iowa and across the nation will be vital. His ability to work with the grassroots is unmatched and we welcome him to the team.”
Spiker added: “There is no better champion for liberty lovers then Senator Rand Paul. I look forward to working with the team, together we can make a difference. I am eager to hit the ground running.”
Spiker will remain as Chairman of the Iowa Republican Party until a new Chair has been elected.