SSSHH: Colorado GOP’s Super Secret “Executive Director”

Who is Peter Graves (not the actor, but the political operative)? And what exactly is his connection to the scandal ridden Colorado Republican Committee?

The answer: According to Colorado’s RNC Committeewoman Lily Nunez, he is the new executive director for the Colorado GOP. Nunez referred to Graves as the state’s executive director in a meeting at the RNC’s summer conference in Cleveland. An attendee of the exclusive closed door executive directors meeting at the RNC conference also confirmed that Graves presented himself as the Colorado GOP executive director.

Graves’ Linked In account states that he is a Regional Political Director for the RNC. His Facebook account shows that he currently resides not in Colorado, but in Bellevue, Washington.

The Colorado GOP Web site does not list an executive director as part of their staff. Previously, Shana Kohn filled that title, working under former chair Ryan Call. Kohn stayed for the transition of the current chair Steve House, but stepped down for personal reasons.

Following Kohn’s resignation, Tyler Hart joined the Colorado GOP as “Chief of Staff.” It was believed by many activists that the title was the new name for executive director. However, since taking on the job as chief of staff, Hart has been referred to by liberty and progressive insiders as a glorified scheduler.

Initially ridiculed for her lack of qualifications to take on the role as either executive director or chief of staff within the Colorado GOP, Hart’s biggest challenge appears to be office politics.

Former Colorado GOP secretary Lana Fore alleged that Hart called by-laws expert and liberty activist Florence Sebern a “bitch” when confronted on why Sebern was not appointed to the state by-laws committee. Rumors among activist circles claim that Hart has been on a power trip, alienating staff connected to the RNC.

A wave of of RNC backed employees recently resigned, including Paulo Sibaja, Jose Alanis, and Jack Cutter. Sources say that RNC staffers Ian Lindemann and Jordan Gascon may be exiting close behind. In a Facebook post, Alanis denied the resignations were due to working conditions, stating that he needed more time to focus on finishing his degree. Sibaja is running for an Arapohoe County Commissioner seat and Cutter is making a move to the Avinova Media Group.

Meanwhile, Peter Graves has been missing in action at the Colorado GOP office—or perhaps his announced position at the RNC meeting was a ruse and Graves isn’t really employed by the Colorado Republican Party.

If it is true that Graves is not the Colorado GOP executive director, then it begs the question why wouldn’t an actual paid (or volunteer) staff member from Colorado attend the RNC state executive directors meeting as the “acting” executive director? Maybe, just maybe, the political operative Peter Graves is an actor after all.