By Bob Vosseller and Chris Lundy
JACKSON – In a rare political divide, there is no official endorsement from the Jackson Republican Club for candidates in November.
A floor vote of general membership endorsed incumbent Mayor Michael Reina in a large number as the club’s mayoral candidate.
However, Jackson GOP Club President Todd Porter told The Jackson Times that the club’s screening committee had recommended current Council President Martin Flemming as their mayoral candidate.
Porter said that there “is no provision in our bylaws allowing for a recommendation from the floor.”
On the other side of that, Reina argues that Robert’s Rules allows for it.
Upon hearing the announcement of the screening committee’s recommendation – which was postponed for over two months – the general membership overwhelmingly turned down the committee’s recommendation of Flemming, Reina said. They supported Reina as their choice for mayor again.
As a result of the unusual conflict and in accordance with the club’s existing protocols, Porter said that no candidate has been endorsed for the position of mayor but emphasized that the screening committee had chosen Flemming and his council running mates.
Porter at this time claimed that no candidate would be endorsed which then prompted a super majority vote of no confidence towards Porter, Reina said.
