Brogdon resigns GOP position, calls for election

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The leader of the Oklahoma Republican Party is planning to resign his post and call for the election of a new chairman after a tumultuous five-month term.

GOP Vice Chair Estela Hernandez and several party activists confirmed Randy Brogdon’s plans on Thursday, although Brogdon himself did not respond to telephone and email messages.

Longtime Brogdon ally and former state Representative Charles Key read a statement from Brogdon in which Brogdon said his resignation was necessary "for the good of the party."

After ousting the incumbent GOP chairman in the spring, Brogdon faced criticism for hiring a top-level staffer who had pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge. He also apologized after a Facebook post that likened food stamp recipients to park animals.