McMahan has not resigned, “will not”

A statement today by David McMahan, chairman of Oconee Republicans, acknowledging a riff within party officials—referred to by McMahan as a “civil war.  On one side, he says, are he and a “few Conservative loyalists.”  On the other, he places, Keowee Key Republicans and moderates who he says are colluding with Democrats.  One of the issues is a draft letter that McMahan says was designed to censure him.  In his statement, McMahan acknowledges divisiveness within the local GOP, but insists he is not completely at fault.  McMahan denies the accusation that he boycotted the July 30 state convention because he’s in protest of Governor McMaster’s suspension of Matthew Durham from Seat Two, Oconee County Council while criminal charges remain pending against the first-term councilman. He said: “The real reason I did not attend the convention was I own multiple rental units, do all of my own repairs, and had an emergency hot water heater replacement come up that day.”    Chairman McMahan also announces he takes a prerogative of his office and has resolved to remove from the county party steering committee any individuals he feels are not trustworthy.