GOP Official’s Comment on Women Criticized

Republican national committeeman Chuck Yob said he will not resign after saying women running for statewide elective office are best suited for secretary of state because “they like that kind of work.”

Two Republican candidates for Michigan governor, Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus and state Sen. John Schwarz of Battle Creek, called for Yob to step down.

“Unfortunately, because of his role as national committeeman, his comments will serve only to distract from what is an otherwise compelling record by the GOP on behalf of women,” Posthumus said Monday in a statement.

“It is best for the party that we make this change and move on,” Schwarz said.

On Tuesday, GOP Gov. John Engler said he supports the call for Yob’s resignation.

Yob, 65, rejected their suggestions.

“Under no circumstances will I resign my position as national committeeman. I was elected by our party’s grass roots, not its elected officials,” he said Monday.

On Tuesday, Yob said he still backs Posthumus’ gubernatorial bid.

“I’m still a strong supporter of the lieutenant governor,” Yob said. “But we probably won’t be as chummy as we’ve been.”

During a taping of the Michigan public affairs program “Off the Record,” Yob said secretary of state is a good job for a woman.

“That’s a real nice place on the ticket for a woman. They like that kind of work,” he said. “Most county clerks across the state, which is a jump to [secretary of state], are women and they have the experience.”

He had been asked about gender balance on the GOP’s November ballot, and said the GOP had a very good female candidate for secretary of state in former Kent County Clerk Terri Land.

He later said he did not intend to imply that women were qualified or interested in only certain types of elected offices.

The comment caused a furor among women. Moderate Republican state Rep. Judith Scranton said it set back women’s efforts to expand their role in the GOP.

“I am so offended that a national committeeman is so prejudiced today,” she said. “Shame on him.”

Another Republican gubernatorial candidate, businessman Ed Hamilton, said Schwarz and Posthumus were caving in to pressure from liberal Democrats.

“I think 80% of men slip into that kind of talk, but that doesn’t mean we don’t support women’s issues,” Hamilton said Tuesday.