Zelenik announces resignation as RuCo GOP Chair

In an e-mail sent to members of the Rutherford County GOP, now-former Chairman Lou Ann Zelenik writes:

Dear Friends,

Together, we have grown our party on the conservative principles we share as Tennesseans. Our shared beliefs of faith, family and freedom resonate from our courthouse, to our neighborhoods and farming communities. From the success of the Reagan Day Dinner in March, or joining with others at our two Tea Parties on the square, the GOP Picnic, or the August healthcare forum, we celebrate our freedoms, our Constitution. 2009 has been eye opening, and heart breaking, as we have watched trillion dollar deficits, the cap and trade energy tax, government healthcare bills and Medicare cuts, unelected czars, or an SEIU/ ACORN office opening up in Murfreesboro.

At our September meeting, I announced I will be stepping down as Chairman to pursue a run for Congress. Effective October 23rd, I am stepping down. At our regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday October 27th, the executive committee will meet to elect a new chairman. It has been my privilege to serve as the Vice Chair and Chair of the Rutherford County Republican Party, and stepping down is one of the hardest things for me to do. It has been my honor to speak with so many in our community, whether our greatest generation, our seniors and veterans, the homeschooling mom of four who wants to get involved, or the lifelong Democrat who walked into our office and said “I never thought I would be standing here, but my party has left me.” Never before, is it more important to put people before politics, and our founding principles before the liberal agenda.

And finally, I want to thank all of you who have worked so hard, given of your time and money to keep our office open. Our executive committee and volunteers exemplify the strength and integrity of our party and it principles. It has been my honor to serve with them.

Blessings to you and yours,

Lou Ann

As you may remember, I strongly encouraged Zelenik to step down from her leadership role to run for Congress, and I applaud her decision to do so.