N.S. Republican Town Committee votes to disband

NORTH SMITHFIELD – The elected officers of the North Smithfield Republican Town Committee voted to disband the board this week, a decision former Chairman Brad Trenchard says came in part due to his desire to step away from the position, and a current lack of anyone willing and able to step up to take his place.

“The decision to dissolve the committee was not made lightly, nor was it made by any one member,” Trenchard told NRI NOW.

The committee took the vote to dissolve at their meeting on Tuesday, March 4, officially disbanding, effective immediately. The decision marked a formal conclusion to the group’s operations, with the titles and powers of all members and elected officers revoked, and any ongoing initiatives or plans associated with the organization rendered null and void.

While it is unclear how long the North Smithfield Republican Town Committee had been active, records filed with the state Board of Elections show the organization has submitted campaign finance reports every year since at least 2002. As of December 31 of 2024, the organization had $1,876 in funds remaining, after receiving $595 in contributions in the previous 12 months and paying campaign expenses for the year totaling $463, according to the most recent filing.

Such political town committees are governed by state and federal law, and are considered part of the national party structure, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the party at the local level.

Trenchard has been an active member in North Smithfield since he was voted vice chairman in 2022.

“The committee was thriving at that time, in my opinion, and there was lots of interest in our monthly gatherings,” he said.

But in the time since, the committee lost its secretary, with the treasurer taking on the additional role and acting as both. And in early 2024, David de la Cruz stepped down from his position as chairman with plans to focus on his run for a seat on the School Committee. Trenchard was elected to take over as chairman, with Evan Masse stepping into the role of vice chairman.

“We now had three active members filling four positions with our treasurer now filling the secretary role,” Trenchard said. “The committee slowly started to dwindle in terms of community engagement and the monthly meetings became redundant and more of a chore than anything else.”

The now ex-chairman said that after he lost his own bid for the School Committee last November, he decided he wanted to spend his spare time focusing on his family and his faith, becoming more engaged in his church. He informed both his fellow committee members and the state GOP of his disinterest, but was asked to remain in the position until it was filled.

But Trenchard said the “unpleasantries” that came about with the recent election of the state GOP chairman and associated members tested both his patience with the party and his willingness to stay on. Police were called to the Rhode Island Republican Party’s reorganizational meeting held on Saturday, March 1 following a squabble over rules.

Trenchard said Tuesday’s vote to disband in North Smithfield was unanimous.

“The North Smithfield Republican Town Committee would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all Republicans, free thinkers, and patriots for their unwavering support of the committee and its members,” the group noted in a post on social media. “We also wish to express our gratitude to all elected Republican officials for their service and the courage they have shown in running for office and serving as Republicans in a predominantly blue state.”

Trenchard said the funds remaining with the committee included a donation from Sen. Jessica de la Cruz’s campaign, which will be returned. The remaining funds will be split between Operation Stand Down and Crossroads Rhode Island, two organizations aimed at fighting homelessness in Rhode Island. 

He said he intends to remain active in the North Smithfield community, and is hopeful that more Republicans will step forward soon to reactivate the committee.

“The good news is, with Donald Trump winning the presidency and his historic start, righting the wrongs that have been created over the last four years, I am confident more people will desire to stand up and continue the tremendous work that is being done,” he said.