HENDERSONVILLE — Henderson County Republican Party Chairman Brett Callaway will not be seeking re-election for a second term, he told the Daily Planet in a Jan. 30 telephone interview. 

With the approach of the HCRP convention during which party officers will be elected or re-elected — scheduled to begin “around” 1:30 p.m. March 29 at Point Lookout Vineyards in Edneyville — Callaway, when pressed by the Daily Planet on whether he will run again for chairman, said, “I am not seeking re-election.”

He added,” I never intended to serve more than one term. I recently had retired (prior to the last election) and I was asked” to run for the chairmanship.

“At first, I didn’t want to” run. However, “I went ahead because there was a need. I took it as a civil duty. And I’ve accomplished everything I intended —  and we had a great election (national and local elections, a great turnout and results... We elected Republicans up and down the ticket, except for the state tickets... The turnout was 73 percent (across all parties, countrywide — and now I feel it’s time for someone else to take the reins.”

Regarding the upcoming HCGOP convention, Callaway said, with a chuckle, that he is “ hoping it won’t last more than an hour or two.” He added that the convention is “open to all Henderson County Republicans….”

“So do you have any comments on Greg Beam’s decision to seek election as chair and his proposed revision of the party’s Plan of Organization?” the Daily Planet asked.

In response, Callaway noted evenly that “Greg is a precinct chair” and that he has heard that there also are others who are said to be considering a run for the party chairmanship.

“So do you have any comment on Beam’s new Plan of Organization” for the local party that he is hoping to get approved at the March 29 convention? the Daily Planet queried.

Callaway answered that “the state Plan or Organization has been rewritten from the ground up, but. as always. the county’s plan and district’s plan cannot contradict the state’s plan. 

“Normally, we (the HCGOP) wait until state plan, which will be rewritten by June. And then we (the party’s ‘leadership team) look at any changes that need to be made in the county plan, Callaway pointed out. 

Therefore, he cannot envision Beam presenting his proposed new Plan of Organization for the HCGOP at the party convention, as it would be premature, Callaway said.