The Fresno GOP chairperson who faced an intra-party squabble is declaring victory as the group’s rightful leader.

Liz Kolstad apparently won re-election as the local Republican Party leader in January, only to be challenged by a renegade group claiming election irregularities. Now, the state party has weighed in, backing Kolstad.

“We are thrilled that the California Republican Party unanimously rejected the assertions of the fake and phony executive board and awarded these delegates to us,” Kolstad said in a statement Friday morning.

A splinter group led by Peter Halajian challenged the vote that gave Kolstad a second term as leader. Halajian said Kolstad excluded some rightful voting members at the Jan. 7 executive committee meeting and that could have flipped the vote in his favor.

Halajian and his group convened later that night at a Clovis Denny’s and held another vote, the outcome of which, he said, put him in charge.

Related Story: Chaos Reigns at Fresno GOP as Two Leaders Are Voted In

Kolstad rejected Halajian’s claim, and her attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter.

This week, the state party sided with Kolstad when issuing delegates for the March 14-16 state party spring convention in Sacramento. The chair of the county party controls the delegates. Any controversy is decided by a state committee, which supported Kolstad.

Kolstad called the state party’s support “a major step toward securing victories in 2026, and beyond.”

Halajian previously said he would abide the the state party’s decision. He was not available for comment on Friday.

Messages to the state party were not returned.

Alternate Vice Chair Willing to ‘Work Together’

Sherie Benbrook won election last year to the central committee. The Halajian delegation elected as vice chair. She told GV Whire she is willing to work with the Kolstad-led party.

“My hope is that any Republican would stand for and fight for voter integrity,” Benbrook said.

She said the state proxies and credentials committee’ decision “did not reflect the indisputable evidence provided, time stamps and signed affidavits that were clearly demonstrating that votes were obstructed.”

Benbrook also quoted Scripture from Luke 12, interpreted by some scholars that no secret will remain forever.

“I joined the central committee to be part of a conservative body that would have passion about integrity, display exemplary character, and provide education to the people,” Benbrook said.

She said she would “work together” with the central committee, but would not outright say if she accepts the state party’s decision and no longer claim to be the vice chair.