Republican Precinct Committee Officers Initiate Article XX Process Against Rep. Lori McCann
LEWISTON – In a move driven by grassroots dissatisfaction with her voting record, Republican precinct committee officers in Legislative District 6 have initiated an Article XX process against Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston. This action, stemming from concerns about McCann’s 2025 legislative votes, has sparked a public debate, with McCann characterizing the process as a "tribunal" and claiming unfair treatment. However, local party officials and participating precinct committee officers maintain the process is a legitimate exercise of grassroots accountability within the Republican Party.
The Article XX process, outlined in the party’s bylaws, allows precinct committee officers to express their disapproval of an elected official’s actions. Contrary to McCann’s portrayal, this is not a disciplinary action imposed by party leadership. It originated from Republican voters within District 6 who approached their elected precinct committee officers with concerns about McCann’s legislative decisions. These concerns culminated in a petition signed by a substantial majority of the district’s precinct committee officers, demonstrating broad-based disapproval of McCann’s performance rather than a targeted attack orchestrated by a select few.
Central to the dispute is McCann’s assertion that she won the most votes of any District 6 legislator. While this may be true in the general election, it overlooks a crucial detail: in the 2024 Republican primary, McCann received only 43.6% of the vote. This indicates that a majority of Republican voters chose other candidates, raising questions about the level of support she enjoys within her own party. The Article XX process aims to address whether McCann’s legislative actions reflect the values and priorities of the Republican voters who elected her.
McCann’s claims of inadequate notification and denial of due process have also been refuted. She was served the petition via email on May 1 and again via certified mail on May 15, well within the timeframe stipulated by party rules. Furthermore, she has had access to the full text of the petition since its delivery. Her contention that she was unaware of the specifics of the allegations against her lacks merit.
The representative’s demand for the names of the petition signers has raised concerns about potential intimidation tactics. While McCann insists on knowing who signed the petition, party rules do not require public disclosure of these names. This confidentiality protects precinct committee officers, who are volunteers, from potential pressure or retaliation. McCann has been advised that if she contests the validity of the process, established channels exist to challenge it without resorting to demands that could be interpreted as attempts to silence her constituents.
The district chairperson diligently worked to accommodate McCann’s schedule, offering her the opportunity to propose alternative dates for the hearing. Despite this offer, McCann declined to suggest alternative dates and ultimately chose not to attend the hearing. Her subsequent claim that she was denied a fair opportunity contradicts the documented efforts made to accommodate her schedule and her decision to forgo participation. The Article XX process, initiated by concerned Republican voters and carried out by their elected precinct officers, underscores the importance of accountability and adherence to party principles within the Republican Party.