Delaware Republican Committee Chairman Charlie Copeland won’t be seeking another term as the head of the state GOP.
Copeland shared his decision with the state GOP executive committee members in a recent meeting and teleconference. Word quickly spread among state party activists who will gather at their state convention April 28-29, where official business will now include electing a new chair. Political operative and President Donald Trump advisor Roger Stone, recently in the news in association with investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, will be guest speaker.
Potential candidates said to be considering throwing their hats into the ring for GOP leadership include Sussex County Councilman Robert Arlett, former Insurance Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Jeff Cragg, party operative George Ball, Dover businessman and former legislator Michael Harrington and multiple-time candidate Kevin Wade.
Copeland’s decision comes months after he took over as president of the Greenville-based Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a conservative education organization. The Wilmington businessman formerly served as a state senator and is also president of Associates International, a printing and direct marketing firm.