Known for running afoul of state party leaders, local Independence Party member Mary Rose Gaughan is at it again. Her group of local Indy allies, fresh off a failed attempt to establish an Erie County organization, is circulating invitations to a May 9th fundraiser.
In reaction, State Chairman Frank MacKay blasted the group as a rogue operation.
"It has come to the attention of the Independence Party of New York that a small group of members of the Independence Party within Erie County is holding a fundraiser on May 9th. This group is not any kind of party organization and in no way can perform any of the duties of a legitimate county organization," MacKay said in a statement to the press.
Insiders say Gaughan is raising money to endorse local candidates. That's against Party rules, according to state leaders.
Several months ago, Gaughan led a group of Erie County State Committee members in organizing an Interim County Organization for Erie County. State officials cried foul and dissolved the group in February. Weeks later, the Party's Removal Committee removed Gaughan and her allies from the State Committee. Officially, they're now just registered members of the Independence Party and hold no office.