Chairman David Parker returned late Saturday to the state Executive Committee meeting, where he said he won't leave. Earlier, he had submitted his resignation, but committee members voted 269-203 to reject it.

 

Gov. Beverly Perdue, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and others had wanted Parker to step down because they said he was a distraction in the wake of sexual harassment allegations at party headquarters. Parker's allies didn't want him to leave.

 

Committee member Lloyd Scher of Mecklenburg County said Parker did nothing wrong in following the advice of the party's attorney in settling the allegations confidentially.

 

At least three candidates were interested in succeeding Parker.

 

Attendees and media tweeted about the chaotic scene and debate among party faithful over Parker's fate. The tweets were retweeted by Democrats and Republicans as the day wore on.

 

Following the outcome, candidate MaryAnn Baldwin, a Raleigh city councilwoman, told news media she took Parker at his word when he said he would not seek re-election and that she would not have thrown her hat in the ring for the post if she had known he intended to stay. 

 

Lt. Gov. Dalton commented that he was disappointed in Parker's decision to remain.

 

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Additional information by SGRToday.com