Young Republican Fed. Chair Resigns

Audra Shay, the controversial president of the Young Republican National Federation, has suddenly resigned, citing the toll the job has taken on her "health mentally and physically." Here's a letter she sent to board members this morning.

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you today.  The YRNF has had some tremendous successes over this past year.  We had huge victories in NJ, MA and VA.  We are poised to be the leading grassroots organization in the 2010 deployment.  Under the direction of Vice Chair at Large Jason Weingartner and Finance Chair Cherie Short we have just started to raise money and have raised more than any administration in recent history.  The team that was put together over a year ago has worked hard and accomplished so much.

It is with that that I am sadly writing to let you know of one of the hardest decisions I have had to make.  Recently the stress of running a national organization has begun to take a major toll on my personal, and professional, my health mentally and physically.  The responsibilities or running this organization without a salary or full time staff has become overwhelming.  I have recently lost two of my family members and found out yesterday that a third has 3 months to live.  With these circumstances I have spent many hours praying as to what my path was to be.  Today I am letting you know the answer to that question is that I will be resiging as YRNF Chairman.

I am not going to give up on an organization that I love so dearly and have given so much to for so long.  I have 100% faith that Ms. Stickan will be a wonderful chairman and I am here to offer her whatever help she feels I can provide.  I will stay active in the alumni association and will continue to help Lisa and YRLC Chairman Berg in any effort they need to complete preparartions for that event and I hope to participate in it as well.

Thank you all for believing in me and thank you to the Executive Board and the National Committee for working so hard to make this organization what I know it can be.

Respectfully

Audra Shay