West Michigan Politics Editor Brandon Hall is reporting a shakeup in the Allegan County Republican Party, as Chairman Kevin Whiteford, husband of State Rep. Mary Whiteford, has resigned.

Whiteford resigned after a meeting Thursday of the Allegan GOP Executive Committee.

Hall reported the chairman “discovered a series of financial discrepancies Allegan GOP Secretary Jason Watts has been unable to clear up… Fireworks flew from the jump as Whiteford and Watts sparred over minutes to a previous meeting for over half an hour.”

Watts is the son of former Allegan County Clerk-Reigster of Deeds Joyce Watts and Allegan Attorney John Watts.

Whiteford during the meeting had asked for information about creating a membership list, including thanking members for their support via phone call or email. Watts objected at first, demanding the question be divided in two. He later agreed that Whiteford’s proposed changes were good ideas and Whiteford won votes on both suggestions

Allegan County Commissioner Jim Storey then moved to take the removal of Watts from the committee off the meeting’s agenda, maintaining that the party needs to work together and unite for election year 2020.

Hall noted, “MIGOP Chair Laura Cox and the party’s top lawyer, Stu Sandler, will evidently decide what-if any-action will be taken by the state party to clean up the mess in Allegan.

“The Allegan GOP itself also then voted to form a special committee to concurrently investigate. Five members were chosen to serve.”

When Whiteford asked for final comments to end the meeting, it was mentioned that there was indeed a membership list. Whiteford, who has been trying to obtain such a list, was startled.

Hall reported, “Whiteford asked where the list came from, and Watts exclaimed it was approved by party officers. He said he did not have minutes because it wasn’t a meeting, whatever that means.”

Watts then was told he needed to keep minutes of meetings.

Whiteford then resigned, insisting he “can’t have anything to do with” the situation, as it could put his CPA license in danger. “This has been a living nightmare. I have never witnessed what I have witnessed here.”

Hall reported that Whiteford, who will remain a member of the executive committee, had the backing of most in the meeting.

Whiteford owns Whiteford Wealth Management, an accounting firm, along with his wife, Mary, who next year will be seeking her final two-year term as representative for the 80th Legislative District in Lansing, which takes in all of the county except the City of Wayland and Dorr, Leighton and Wayland townships.