Opinion: As party shrinks, state chair races heat up

Southern Political Report: Tom Baxter: As party shrinks, state chair races heat up

"Back before Republicans held many other offices in the South, competitions for state party chairmanships could get pretty fierce. The less there was to fight for, it seemed, the more vicious the competition could be.

"Times have changed – and changed some more. While the GOP has slipped nationwide, Republicans still hold most of the positions worth fighting for in the South, including the majority of its governorships and US Senate seats. But, whether it’s a sign of the party’s general malaise or the return of a natural tendency, a couple of Southern state chair races this year have resembled the old days.

"Earlier this year, Republican party leaders in Virginia took the unusual step of removing state Delegate Jeff Frederick, a champion of grassroots conservatives, from the party post after a series of complaints about his management. These came to a head after Frederick inadvertently tipped Democrats about a state Senate party switch with a Twitter message."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Some key Democrats seek other candidates for top positions

ARKANSAS: State economic development officials not worried about deals falling through

FLORIDA: New bill to allow property appraisers to use aerial photos

GEORGIA: Poll shows Barnes is leading Democratic candidate for governor, Oxendine for GOP

KENTUCKY: House approves overhaul of tax incentive plan

LOUISIANA: Legislators to consider cellphones, bridges and social issues today

MISSISSIPPI: Thousands still out of work in state as recession wanes

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue says state needs $1.5 billion in new taxes

SOUTH CAROLINA: Sen. DeMint rejects idea of housing rescue

TENNESSEE: House revives charter school expansion bill

VIRGINIA: Nominees for governor battle for poll position

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