Oahu Dem: Party ‘More Dictatorial’

Rich Halverson quits his post as vice chair of the Oahu County Committee.

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Worried that his party no longer shares his party’s priorities, the vice chair of Oahu County Committee of Democrats has tendered his resignation.

“I feel the officer and committee level party membership has become less focused on helping Democrats beat Republicans, and I feel too focused on rules, discipline and policing member behavior,” wrote Rich Halverson. “The OCC style has become less transparent, more dictatorial, and for me, more stressful.”

Governor David Ige speaks at the Democratic Party Unity breakfast held at the Dole Cannery ballroom. 14 aug 2016
Gov. David Ige spoke at the Democratic Party’s unity breakfast Aug. 14 at Dole Cannery. Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2014

The OCC is part of Oahu County Democrats, part of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Halverson added: “I no longer feel my time is well spent participating, and for this reason I am resigning my vice chair position on the Oahu County Committee.”

The OCC is dealing with several complaints about some members supporting candidates who do not belong to the party.

Committee Chair Reena Rabago declined to comment on Halverson’s resignation.

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