FACTIONS TUSSLE FOR CONTROL OF GOP IN COLVILLE CONSERVATIVES,

People had to read between the lines Tuesday when Stevens County Republican Party Chairman Greg Simon told the Colville Chamber of Commerce about the struggle for control of the party.

A dozen or more newcomers swelled the chamber's usual weekly luncheon crowd to a room-filling 45. Several of the "ultra-conservatives" Simon chided ever so delicately were in the audience.

Among those present were Brad and Carol Bulla of Marble Community Fellowship church near Northport, Wash. Brad Bulla's sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Barry Byrd, founded the church. The Byrds say their church is not racist or anti-Semitic even though they used to belong to a Christian Identity group that claims Caucasians are God's true "chosen people."

Many outsiders are suspicious of the Marble church, whose members are active in the Republican right wing.

"People who put themselves in small groups and make decisions for others are not necessarily speaking for the majority," Simon said. "... Fractious groups are not the majority."

He alluded to the right-wing religious groups - some of which meet in homes - that took over the Stevens County Republican Convention in March. They won 136 of 179 convention delegate seats by turning out for caucuses most people shun.

Mainstream conservatives like Simon still control the party because precinct officers are chosen in general elections that have broader participation than caucuses. But traditional Republicans have only a slender majority of precinct officers. Simon, a Colville Junior High School teacher, labored Tuesday to establish his own conservative Christian credentials. He said he favors local control, is against abortion and "abhors" homosexuality.

As a member of the Colville United Methodist Church, "I proclaim my faith openly," he said.

Christian influences in government "do not all come from the ultra-right," Simon said. "Some of them come from the conservative base."

Simon's audience was even more cautious. A question-and-answer session drew only two questions: one designed to break the ice and one that had the opposite effect.

Party Secretary Renea Martin, who is active in property rights groups, challenged Simon to identify the militia supporters some mainstream Republicans say are among the party's far-right element.

"I've been told I'm one of them, too," Martin said. "So I'd like to know who they are."

Simon didn't name anyone. He said there is "a presence" that is loosely organized.

Copyright 1996 Cowles Publishing Company
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