KGOP Women Support Allegan Vice Chair

September 29, 2023: The Women of the KGOP Stand in Support of Melanie Kurdys

The Women of the Kalamazoo County Republican Party (KGOP) stand in support of our fellow Republican, Melanie Kurdys of the Allegan County Republican Party (AGOP).

On Thursday, September 28, 2023, Melanie Kurdys resigned as the AGOP Vice-Chair when her County Party refused to denounce Kendall (Ken) Beyer for his repeated false accusations against a Kalamazoo County Republican delegate. Not only has Ken Beyer denigrated a fellow Republican, but he has also stated that he would do everything in his power to make sure a Republican loses and would rather have a Democrat in office over a Republican. Finally, he made sexually repulsive statements against a female member of the clergy. (Go to: https://kgop.org/?page_id=1756) to view his deposition, which is sworn under oath).

Melanie Kurdys is commended for taking a stand against Kendall (Ken) Beyer.

Melanie’s Letter of Resignation:

This letter serves as my resignation from AGOP Vice chair, AGOP EC and AGOP Gun Plain Precinct Delegate.

Let me explain. Many of us know Ken Beyer has said things that some of us consider extremely egregious. He referred to a fellow Republican Dr. Tamara Mitchell in vulgar, sexual terms. He has repeatedly asserted he is fighting Republicans, not Democrats. He has spread rumors that I am one of the Republicans who should be purged from the new America First Republican Party.

The toxicity of these rumors against me showed itself at last night’s EC meeting when guest PD (name removed), without being recognized to speak, accused me of being a Democrat because I dared to suggest we consider how our Allegan County Commissioners will perceive our support for Ottawa County Commissioners. She was not ruled out of order, her accusation was allowed to stand.

Then, the EC determined that Ken Beyers’s comments are a non-issue, a closed topic. End of discussion. Ken was not admonished. He was not asked to rescind his comments. He was not asked to stop this type of behavior moving forward as part of the official proceedings of AGOP EC.

I respect the EC’s right to make this decision. However, I can not be part of an organization that seeks to hold others accountable while not doing the same for its own leaders. Allegan County GOP is an assembly of nice people who do not like conflict. But sometimes conflict can not be avoided.

I have enjoyed being part of AGOP these past years and wish you future success, after all, we have a country to save.

Melanie Kurdys

            “I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost as if
            the whole issue of the struggle depended on me alone”
            Martin Treptow An American Soldier

Dr. Tamara Mitchell called Beyer’s remarks “misogynistic and highly detrimental to all women. If Ken Beyer remains a figure in Kristina Karamo’s inner circle, it destroys the credibility of the MRP on protecting Women’s Rights. Because the MRP leadership has not directly addressed this issue with a condemnation of Beyer’s remarks, it is regarded as agreement with Beyer’s sexually perverse and vulgar views toward women.”

Unlike the majority of the men and women of the Executive Committee of Allegan County, we, the Women of the Kalamazoo County Republican Party, do not tolerate and reject the egregious behavior of Kendall (Ken) Beyer.

In July 2023, the Kalamazoo County Republican Party Executive Committee of the KGOP passed a resolution demanding the resignation of Kendall (Ken) Beyer. (Go to https://kgop.org/?p=1628 , to view this document).

Melanie Kurdys, we thank you for your integrity of character and many years of hard work and support.

We Love You,

The Women of the Kalamazoo County Republican Party (KGOP)