PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Calvert County Republican Central Committee (CCRCC) held a special closed-door meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at CCRCC Headquarters to vote on the removal of Chairman Joshua Johnson and Education Chair Jeremy Todzia. The meeting, announced on March 3, 2025, in accordance with CCRCC Bylaws Article VI, Section 2, was called by Vice-Chairman Al Larsen, Treasurer Donna Zupancic, Outreach Chair Jonse Sutana, and members Donna McCrory and Rhonda Kazer.
The stated cause for removal is a violation of CCRCC bylaws prohibiting public criticism of Republican candidates or elected officials without a two-thirds majority vote. Specifically, the members cite two incidents: a January 11, 2025, Facebook post demanding Commissioner Buddy Hance step down and a critical letter sent to Board of Education members on February 26, 2025, without the required two-thirds concurrence from the CCRCC. The bylaw states, “No member shall use their position or title to criticize a Republican candidate or elected official without a 2/3 majority consent of the committee.”
The call for removal reflects internal tensions within the CCRCC, a body representing Republican interests in Calvert County, which has a population of 92,000, with 38% registered Republicans, per 2024 Maryland Board of Elections data. The committee’s role includes candidate recruitment and policy advocacy, but public criticism without consensus can undermine party unity, especially in a county where Republicans hold a strong but not dominant voter base compared to Democrats (33%).
The transparency statement accompanying the announcement lists the five members—Larsen, Zupancic, Sutana, McCrory, and Kazer—as the initiators, signaling a significant faction within the committee. The outcome of the March 12 meeting could reshape CCRCC leadership, potentially impacting local Republican strategies ahead of future elections. While the move aims to enforce party discipline, it risks deepening divisions, as public criticism of elected officials often resonates with constituents frustrated by local governance, such as recent debates over education funding in Calvert County.
As of publishing time, nothing was listed on the Calvert County Republican Central Committee Facebook page regarding the outcome.
