State GOP Faces Internal Strife: Former Lt. Gov. Expelled

Man gets kicked by oversized shoe on spring.

Georgia GOP expels former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan in a unanimous vote, citing disloyalty and endorsement of Democrats.

At a Glance

Georgia Republican Party’s State Executive Committee voted unanimously to expel Geoff Duncan.
Duncan is accused of undermining GOP candidates and endorsing Democrats, including Biden and Harris.
The resolution bans Duncan from all Georgia Republican Party properties and events.
Duncan is prohibited from qualifying as a GOP candidate and his past nominations are expunged.
The former Lt. Governor criticized the expulsion, calling it “silly posturing.”

Georgia GOP Takes Drastic Action Against Former Lt. Governor

The Georgia Republican Party has taken an unprecedented step by unanimously voting to expel former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan from its ranks. The decision, finalized on January 6, comes as a response to what the party views as Duncan’s repeated acts of disloyalty and his public endorsement of Democratic candidates.

The resolution passed by the State Executive Committee outlines several grievances against Duncan, including allegations that he undermined GOP candidates such as Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Senate candidate Herschel Walker. More significantly, Duncan publicly endorsed President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential race, a move that the Georgia GOP considered a direct affront to party loyalty.

The Georgia Republican Party’s State Executive Committee has unanimously voted to expel former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan from any future involvement with the party. https://t.co/JW6UeiuLsd

— FOX 5 Atlanta (@FOX5Atlanta) January 7, 2025

Severe Consequences for Duncan

The expulsion comes with severe consequences for the former Lt. Governor. Duncan is now banned from all Georgia Republican Party properties and events, effectively cutting him off from the party’s resources and networks. Furthermore, he is prohibited from qualifying as a candidate for the Georgia Republican Party, and his past GOP nominations have been expunged from party records.

“Geoff Duncan is hereby expelled from the Georgia Republican Party,” the resolution states. “We have demanded that Duncan cease calling himself a ‘Republican’ and using his false credential as a ‘Republican’ to undermine and sabotage the Republican Party and its candidates.”

The party has gone so far as to urge media outlets to refer to Duncan as an “expelled Republican,” further emphasizing their desire to distance themselves from their former member. This move underscores the GOP’s commitment to maintaining party unity and disciplining those they perceive as undermining their cause.

Duncan’s Response and Party Divide

Duncan has not remained silent in the face of his expulsion. He took to social media to criticize the decision, questioning the party’s priorities and dismissing the action as “silly posturing.” His response highlights the growing divide within the Republican Party, particularly concerning loyalty to former President Trump and the direction of the party post-2020.

“Hard to believe this is a good use of time for a party that’s only got a limited amount of time to figure out mass deportations, world peace, and global tariffs. Learn how to take a victory lap not light another dumpster fire @JoshMcKoon” – Geoff Duncan

The rift between Duncan and the party began when he, along with Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, did not support Trump’s 2020 election claims. While Kemp and Raffensperger remained in the party and won re-election in 2022, Duncan became a vocal critic of Trump and the MAGA movement, choosing not to run for re-election that year.

Implications for the Republican Party

This expulsion raises questions about the Republican Party’s approach to internal dissent and its vision for the future. By taking such a strong stance against a former high-ranking official, the Georgia GOP sends a clear message about the expectations of loyalty within its ranks. However, it also risks alienating moderate voters and fueling criticism about the party’s openness to diverse viewpoints.

The expulsion of Geoff Duncan may serve as a warning to other party members who consider straying from the party line, but it also highlights the challenges the GOP faces in balancing party discipline with the need for a broad coalition of supporters.