Three's Company Once Again: Derek Hall Dodges the Draft Movement

The field of potential candidates is back down to three tonight after Kentucky's Derek Hall opted not to seek a term as Chairman of the CRNC in 2007. Over the past few weeks talk had surfaced about Hall's national intentions at a fervor not seen since the summer of 2006, when a candidacy for Chairman by Hall was seen as very likely. With this announcement, the field is pared back down to include the team of Brian Siler and Brent Ludeman, Charlie Smith, and an ever looming bid by Dan Schuberth, who seemed very much a candidate at the December 2006 CRNC Board Meeting. Draft Derek Hall, the blog that really brought talk of a Hall candidacy back to the forefront of College Republicans, has the statement, as does Truth Caucus. Due to the eloquence of Hall's letter, it is being posted here also:

"The past two weeks have been quite a whirlwind experience for me. I have talked to many individuals about the possibility of running for the position of CRNC Chairman, but I felt it was necessary to officially announce that as of now I have decided not to run for the position. I have been extremely flattered by the outpour of support and kind words; I was not expecting to hear from so many individuals from across the country.

I have worked diligently for the College Republicans since stepping foot on the campus of the University of Kentucky, and I feel that I have an invested interest in the future of this organization. We all need to recognize its time to introduce sound, intelligent reform to the CRNC, and hopefully our candidates will continue to preach this message as they campaign over the coming months. At times, we over-complicate this organization, and I hope that our next crop of leaders realize its time to simplify each facet of the group. This means we need to put more emphasis on helping to win real elections and strengthening our local chapters. We need to stand together and proclaim that playing politics within the CRNC is the business of the past and promoting the Republican Party is the answer for the future.

Once again, I want to thank everyone for their support, and I hope we are able to come together to produce the best team for guiding the CRNC. Thank you and God bless."

Hall is still expected to find a place on someone's ticket, and a close relationship with Missouri's Justin Smith and Ohio's Brian Siler could play a large role in where Hall stands in the upcoming race. In the recent Truth Caucus poll, candidates from states supporting Real Reform, including Derek Hall, Brian Siler, and Brent Ludeman, won 78% of the vote, so a combination of the three on a ticket could prove formidable. It is also very refreshing to see someone talking of winning real elections and promoting the Republican Party over inter-organizational squabbles; for whatever reason this seems to have been absent for some time within the CRNC. We will continue to follow all of the potential candidates in the race, and have continuous updates on any decisions being made. No formal announcements are set as of yet, but it is rumored that all candidates are within days of making their final decisions.