GOP Chief Wadhams Drops Out Of Race For New Term

DENVER (AP) - Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams has decided not to seek a third term, saying he's tired of those who don't understand the party's role.

The Denver Post reports that Wadhams sent a memo Monday to the state GOP State Central Committee announcing his decision. He complained of people "obsessed with seeing conspiracies around every corner." He tells the Post that he loved being chairman but is tired of "the nuts who have no grasp of what the state party's role is."

Wadhams was criticized last year as former GOP congressman Tom Tancredo declared the party's gubernatorial candidates unable to beat Democrat John Hickenlooper and entered the race on the American Constitution Party ticket. Hickenlooper won.

State Sen. Ted Harvey of Highlands Ranch is running for GOP chairman.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)