Jeers, hushes and profanities made up a substantial portion of the El Paso County Republican Party’s executive committee meeting Monday evening as the group argued how best to fill the seat of chairman Trevor Dierdorff, who submitted his resignation this month.

Ultimately the group’s vice chairman, Joshua Hosler – who previously said he had no interest in the spot – reversed himself and an overwhelming majority voted him into the chairman position. The move was met with standing applause, a dramatic change from the timbre that filled the previous two hours.

“I don’t belong to an organized political party, I’m a Republican,” former state Sen. Bernie Herpin said during the meeting before voting in favor of Hosler’s ascent.

Because Hosler initially wished to remain vice chair, the group was unclear on how to move forward. They argued for nearly two hours whether Dierdorff’s resignation was effective and if the meeting itself was properly called.

By Monday afternoon four people – Karl Schneider, Charlie Ehler, Robert Blanken and Sheryl Glasgow – had expressed interest in the top spot. But the group couldn’t agree if there was an official vacancy to fill. And even if the position was empty, many disagreed on who had the right to vote for the next chair.

Ehler said it might be legal for the executive committee, consisting of several dozen party officers, to vote in the next chair, but the move would violate the intent of their bylaws. Instead, he wanted to see the much larger central committee vote at a later date.

Blanken argued, however, that calling the central committee would be costly and if the party went that route, it could take until the end of the year.

For much of the meeting Hosler, who served in the Marine Corps, remained stoic. The crowd argued for over an hour before one executive committee member, who said he also served in the Marine Corps, stood and accused Hosler of failing to fulfill his duties as vice chair.

“Step up, Josh,” one woman shouted.

Prompted by the commentary, Hosler said he would be willing to take over as chair.

Questioned about the reversal, Hosler said he prayed on the matter, asked his wife’s permission and came to the conclusion that if he received the votes he would step up and “fulfill his duty.”

The group next argued about how best to vote Hosler into the position. At one point a man dressed in a yellow referee uniform blew his whistle and presented the entire crowd with a red card. He called the meeting a “kangaroo court,” told the crowd “you’re all ejected” and left the room.

Despite the disagreements, a vote soon ensued. And of more than 40 executive committee members present, only five voted against the move. Dierdorff was among the dissenting votes.

Though one woman questioned Hosler’s ability to raise money, he stood after the vote – a .40 caliber Springfield pistol nestled under his pin-stripe suit – and vowed to work diligently for all the party’s members.

Executive committee member Gordon Klingenschmitt said he has no doubt Hosler will do his best.

“And if he can go raise money, we can go take the governor’s mansion,” Klingenschmitt said. “Which is what everybody in this room wants.”

State Rep. Dave Williams, a member of the larger central committee, said he was pleased by the outcome and happy to have avoided a long and expensive process to fill the spot. Once he’s settled as chair, Hosler will select the group’s next vice chair and then he’ll hopefully “lead our party to a majority in the statehouse,” Williams said.

Shortly after the vote, Blanken walked out, claiming Hosler will resign within the next two months.

“He doesn’t want it,” Blanken said.

To this, Hosler responded “I don’t quit.” He committed to remain chair until his term expires in February 2019.