Jones defeats Dudley for Republican party seat

Gary Jones of Cache has been elected interim chairman of the state Republican Party, defeating Secretary of State Kay Dudley despite her support from top elected GOP officials.<br><br>Jones, an accountant

Sunday, January 5th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Gary Jones of Cache has been elected interim chairman of the state Republican Party, defeating Secretary of State Kay Dudley despite her support from top elected GOP officials.

Jones, an accountant who ran unsuccessfully for state auditor and inspector last year, will succeed Chad Alexander of Norman, who announced his resignation late last year.

Jones will serve as interim chairman until the Republican State Convention in May, when Republicans will elect a chairman to a two-year term.

Dudley's eligibility was questioned yesterday because of a state Republican Party rule forbidding two people of the same sex from holding the party's chairman and vice chairman positions.

State Representative dilia Dank, is the party's vice chairman, and Dudley's election would have put two women in the top two leadership positions.