Message from former Republican Chairman, Richard Pegues.

Today I listened to the last public forum on KSHN radio between the two candidates running for Liberty County Clerk. One exchange in that meeting really stood out when I was listening, but as the day wore on I forgot about it. I forgot about it until I read Allen Youngblood’s website and saw an attempt to twist an honest effort to be a good citizen into something exactly the opposite.

Thinking back on the radio program, clearly someone sent in a question meant to turn off any voter considering Paulette Williams’ candidacy. Bill Buchanan, the moderator of the forum, read the question. “This is a question for Paulette Williams. Is it true you sued the county over the hospital election?”

I have known Paulette Williams since going to church with her and her two boys back in the middle 1980’s. She is a very honest and caring person. She is also very thoughtful, community-minded, and patriotic. Knowing all of that, I leaned forward to hear how Paulette would answer the question. I should have known.

Very straightforwardly, Paulette explained the election procedures that County Clerk Delia Sellers had either violated or ignored. Paulette was not mean-spirited but very matter-of-fact and specific. She explained that even though her complaint was irrefutable, the Department of Justice’s decision was to do nothing because there was no proof that Delia’s incompetence or partisanship affected the outcome of the election. Paulette then explained even though she knew Delia might use the lawsuit to hurt Paulette politically, she would do the same thing again because elections should be run correctly.

I have spent very little time around Paulette Williams in the last twenty years, but her handling of that question and that situation, reminded me of why I have such a high opinion of her. She has become well versed in election law in her efforts to help elect conservatives to local office and she felt it was her duty to stand up and make sure the integrity of the election was not compromised. Rather than pervert her effort in political forums and on liberal websites, Paulette Williams should be saluted. Common sense dictates that it is Delia Sellers who should be held responsible for any expense incurred from the lawsuit. Sellers should have followed the election law and she should stop minimizing the election procedures.

I was County Chairman of the Republican Party for three terms and though I sometimes had a good relationship with Delia, I did bump heads with her over the same kind of derelict of duty. I also was the victim of her collusion with some of the local media to make me look like the bad guy when she didn’t fulfill her responsibilities. I took it in stride much the way Paulette did. It just reminded me of how partisan and how political Delia can be when the chips are down.

The 2010 election may require something more than tolerating our County Clerk’s political tricks. Since she is on the ballot and there are allegations much more serious about Delia, it may be time to ask the Secretary of State to remove her as the Elections Officer. Because it has been alleged that Delia has committed serious crimes involving documents she dealt with in her capacity as the County Clerk, those making the charges might want to approach the District Attorney’s office, the County Attorney’s office, and the Secretary of State’s office and ask them to begin the procedures to appoint a replacement. As Paulette said so well, the integrity of the election is important to all citizens, no matter what political party or candidate you support.

Delia Sellers is on the 2010 ballot. She above anyone else should want the election results to be above any suspicion. Like anyone else Delia Sellers is innocent until proven guilty, but… we should all go above and beyond our duty to ensure our elections are held according to the highest standards.

Richard Pegues
Former County Chairman
Liberty County Republican Party