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State Republican Political Director Resigns After Pressure From Fallin, Oklahoma County GOP

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Updated June 25, 8:40 a.m.: The chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party says a top-level staffer who pleaded guilty three years ago to a domestic violence charge has resigned his position.

Chairman Randy Brogdon confirmed late Wednesday afternoon that Thomas Clint "T.C." Ryan submitted his resignation from his position as state political director for the party.

Gov. Mary Fallin earlier in the day said she supported a resolution calling for Ryan's ouster, and Brogdon said Fallin's position weighed heavily in his decision to accept Ryan's resignation.

Court records show Ryan pleaded guilty in 2012 to misdemeanor charges of domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor and interference with an emergency telephone call.

Brogdon says he hopes Ryan's resignation will end the bickering within the party and allow Republicans to move forward.

Original Post

The Oklahoma County GOP is calling for the firing of the state political director who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in 2012. The group is expected to present a resolution regarding Thomas Clint, or “TC,” Ryan during an upcoming state committee meeting Saturday. 

State GOP Chairman Randy Brogdon backs Ryan, calling him one of the “most dedicated” political advisors in the state. He says the dispute is nothing but in-party fighting.

Oklahoma County GOP Chairman Daren Ward disagrees, saying Ryan’s past is too serious to overlook.

“We're against domestic violence. Period. Let's not trivialize it. Stop trivializing the issue and sweeping it under the rug,” Ward said at a press conference Wednesday.

Governor Mary Fallin and several Republican legislators also support the ousting of Ryan. Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said it was “not appropriate” for Ryan to serve as the political director of the state party.

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