Why Ron Paul Supporters Were Removed from G.O.P. Leadership in Iowa – NYTimes.com

Jennifer Jacobs of The Des Moines Register said the party was trying to build a broader base, with less focus on “pet liberty-movement issues,” adding, “Big donors who closed their checkbooks may start giving money to the state party again.”

Here’s how bad the situation has been for the Iowa G.O.P.: The $129,843 raised in the first three months of 2014 is the lowest amount in a year without a presidential election since at least 2002. Last year, the party raised less than half of what it did in 2005.

The last individual contribution of $5,000 or more occurred a year ago, and the party has struggled to retain even longtime donors.

Of the four states with open Senate races this year (Iowa, Michigan, Georgia and West Virginia), only West Virginia’s state G.O.P. has raised less money this year.

By continuing under the leadership of Ron Paul supporters, Iowa Republicans risked having the state party sidelined, similar to what happened in Nevada in 2012. National Republicans, keen to re-elect Dean Heller to the Senate seat he had been appointed to in 2011, bypassed the state party. They funneled $638,000 to the Washoe County Republican Party to help Mr. Heller, who narrowly retained his seat.

via Why Ron Paul Supporters Were Removed from G.O.P. Leadership in Iowa – NYTimes.com.