After a 12-year run, former Republican Party of Arkansas chairman Doyle Webb is seeking higher office at the national level, according to a Talk Business Arkansas report.
Webb, who led the state GOP during its historic rise to political dominance, is a candidate for co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC). The vote will be held next weekend, following an expected roiling week of politics that will include a run-off election for two Georgia Senate seats to control one-half of Congress, a challenge to the Electoral College and 2020 Presidential election results, and a Republican president stirring political unrest to stay in office.
Webb told Talk Business he’s running for co-chair of the RNC because he believes his record leading the Arkansas GOP could be a blueprint for other states.
During his 12-year tenure, Arkansas went from a supermajority Democratic state to a supermajority Republican state. The GOP holds all of the federal and constitutional offices in Arkansas as well as a 78-22 margin the state House and a 28-7 margin in the state Senate. Jonelle Fulmer of Fort Smith has succeeded Webb as chair of the Arkansas GOP.
“I think we’ve had a great run in Arkansas. I think Arkansas could be an example for other blue states, for other purple states,” he said. “You know when I became chairman in 2008, Arkansas was the bluest of the blue. And this is not to say that Doyle Webb changed this single-handedly, but I have seen how a blue, blue state can become bright red. And I think that’s important to share that with the other 50 states and the territories. I want to offer that to the Republican National Committee.”
If it doesn’t work out for Webb at the national level, he says he expects to be back in Arkansas working for Republican candidates in 2022. A former state Senator, he’s not inclined to reveal if hell be out front with any primary picks, and he doesn’t rule out seeking future office someday.
“That fire could still be ignited if necessary. I love my state, and if I felt the need to do that, and I felt the call to do that I’ll certainly be willing to do that,” Webb said.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI