Wilson to follow Turpen as Pulaski GOP chair
'It's always been (true that) candidates want to come to Pulaski County because they know that Pulaski County is Republican and they know that they're going to show out. We want to keep that and we want to further build on that as well.' Alex Wilson New Pulaski GOP Chair
For the second time this year, political party leadership in Pulaski County is changing hands.
Bill Turpen, who has served as chairman of the Pulaski County Republican Party for almost a decade, is ceding the job to new blood — Alex Wilson, co-owner of Ridgenet Network Group.
Wilson was chosen as the new party chair on Saturday, along with several other positions within the local GOP organization.
'I'm really excited about it,' said Wilson, who had previously served as vice-chair. 'It's something I've kind of had my eye on for a while. Working alongside Bill for the past several years, it's something I knew that, when the time came, I wanted to put my name in for it. So now that that time has come and I got the election, it's all surreal but nice. I'm ready to hit the ground running and get started.'
Wilson, 29, is a native of the Science Hill area and an alum of Pulaski County High School and Western Kentucky University. In addition to his work with IT business Ridgenet, he's been a volunteer firefighter with the Science Hill and Dabney Fire Departments, and also serves on the Pulaski County Schools Business/Marketing Advisory Council.
Wilson has a number of things he'd like to accomplish within the local GOP — 'Some of it can be done in a quicker manner, some will take some time,' he said. Wilson would like to hold more regular monthly membership meetings, something that had been done in the recent past, to 'help boost membership and communication channels for our members.'
While Pulaski is 'a predominant Republican county' in terms of party allegiance, noted Wilson, actually getting people involved with the organizational aspects of the party is something 'people are more lax' about locally.
'We're not providing an avenue for people to be active members, so that's something I want us to focus on,' said Wilson. 'I want us to have monthly meetings and an increase in events, not just stuff around election times. By doing that, I think we'll be able to increase our participation and really ensure that we don't lose our grasp on the party dominance here in the county.
'That's going to help us attract candidates that are running statewide elections,' he added. 'It's always been (true that) candidates want to come to Pulaski County because they know that Pulaski County is Republican and they know that they're going to show out. We want to keep that and we want to further build on that as well.'
In addition to Wilson, the rest of the Pulaski County Republican committee was filled out Saturday, with Callie Garner Thompson as youth chair, Maydell Greer as secretary, Debra Ruckel as treasurer, and former chair Cloyd Bumgardner returning as the new vice chair to Wilson.
Turpen, known locally as a building contractor as well as an educator in Pulaski County Schools, replaced Bumgardner as GOP chair in 2017. When asked why he would step away from chairmanship now, Turpen simply replied with a laugh, 'Why not?'
Following up on that, Turpen said, 'I've had it long enough; I've had it eight years. ... I've had a great team to work with.'
One of the things he did was expand the party's executive board from three seats to 12. 'That's just helped to involve more people,' said Turpen. '... We've all worked together.'
Turpen was also proud to have helped spearhead a number of local events with 'exciting' speakers, particularly during the last race for state constitutional offices, including the governor's office — the only one of those offices not held by a Republican in Kentucky.
During his time as chair, Pulaski has remained a stronghold for the Republican Party at the ballot box. Last November, Donald Trump, the GOP candidate for U.S. President, got 82.09 percent of the vote in Pulaski — almost exactly the same figure as he did in 2016, just before Turpen took over, meaning big-picture local Republican voting has held steady in Turpen's time. The party has also maintained control of the Kentucky State Legislature, having won control of both houses in 2016 as well, and Pulaski has continued to vote for Republicans to go to Frankfort — all five state representatives representing parts of this county and the area's state senator are Republicans.
'I think this legislature has done an outstanding job in representing the feelings of Kentucky,' said Turpen. 'A lot of times, they don't get the credit they deserve, but I want to make a real good plug for them. They have done a great job with the legislation, and things that relate to our values, that relate to taxes, and Kentucky family life in general.'
The Turpen-to-Wilson transition takes place on the heels of the local Democratic Party also experiencing a change in leadership. In February, Dr. Rodney Casada stepped away from his longtime party chairmanship, to be replaced by Lee Ann Drake.
Turpen expressed a respect for Casada and the job he's done, and feels like Casada is mutual in that. 'We're on opposite sides, but ... we've had a very good relationship.'
Additionally, Turpen thanked Congressman Hal Rogers of Somerset and his wife Cynthia for being 'so supportive of the Republican Party in Pulaski County — if we've asked them to host events ... or to be a part of (them), they've always been so willing to help.' Likewise, 'all of the elected Republicans (in Washington) have been.'
As for Wilson, 'I think he's going to take us in a little different direction. He's going to be able to draw a lot more young people in. He's got more useful ideas, and I'm very excited for him.'
Wilson called it 'bittersweet' to see 'mentor' Turpen step away from the chairmanship, and intends to continue to draw on Turpen for his perspectives and experience.
'I told him, 'Bill, if I do this, I hope you know you're not going to fully be out. I will be calling you,'' said Wilson. 'I'm blessed to have that avenue, and he does want to be an active part in the organization, so that's going to be great and very helpful for me and our team moving forward. We've got a really good team.'
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