Local GOP Committee Election Marred by Allegations of Fraud and Voter Suppression

Former secretary challenges chairman election, citing irregularities and anti-Catholic bias

Mar. 27, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A former secretary of the Warren County Republican Committee (WCRC) is fighting to appeal the results of a recent chairman election, alleging that the mass meeting was riddled with disorganization, fraud, and voter suppression. Scott Lloyd, a devout Catholic, lost the race to local attorney David Silek, who is accused of allowing Democrats and 'RINOs' to participate in the GOP committee election.

Why it matters

The disputed election highlights growing tensions within the local Republican party, with allegations of anti-Catholic bias and a 'Trojan horse' strategy by the establishment to take over the committee. The outcome could have significant implications for the direction of the WCRC and the broader GOP in the region.

The details

During the February 12 mass meeting, witnesses said many known Democrats and leftists were given ballots despite being turned away at first, while dozens of Republicans were blocked from entering the venue. The meeting also featured contradicting ballot counts and a decision by the outgoing chairman to leave early. Sheriff Crystal Cline, an ally of the winner Silek, was involved in the application process for committee membership, and her husband was accused of turning away at least 9 people from voting.

  • The WCRC mass meeting took place on February 12, 2026.
  • Lloyd filed an appeal to the Sixth District Republican Committee on March 31, 2026.

The players

Scott Lloyd

A former secretary of the Warren County Republican Committee who lost the chairman election and is fighting to appeal the results.

David Silek

The local attorney who won the WCRC chairman election, which is now being challenged.

Crystal Cline

The Warren County Sheriff who was involved in the application process for committee membership and whose husband was accused of turning away voters.

Cheryl Cullers

The Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman who announced the committee would shrink its membership from 251 to 102.

Hugh Henry

A County Supervisor who allegedly made a comment about having a 'Catholic problem that needed resolving'.

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What they’re saying

“This appeal is not about personalities or factions. It is about the integrity of the Committee's processes. If the Republican Party is to demand election integrity from others, it must enforce it within its own ranks.”

— Scott Lloyd, Appellant

“For the record, I did not attend the meeting and would not have voted if I had, because I would not have felt comfortable signing an attestation in support of the Republican Party. However, I do not judge the motives of those Democrats who chose to participate, and I believe I understand why some of them did.”

— Cara Eldridge Young, Progressive Democrat op-ed writer

What’s next

The Sixth Congressional District Republican Committee is scheduled to hear Lloyd's appeal on March 31, 2026. If a quorum is reached, the committee will decide whether to invalidate the February 12 mass meeting results and order a new election.

The takeaway

This disputed election highlights the growing divisions within the local Republican party, with allegations of anti-Catholic bias, voter suppression, and an effort by the establishment to take over the committee. The outcome could have significant implications for the direction of the GOP in the region and the party's commitment to election integrity.