Virginia GOP liberty group backs vice presidential nomination reform

By AI, Created 5:20 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia has adopted a resolution calling for more delegate control over how the Republican Party chooses its vice-presidential nominee. Supporters say the change would give convention delegates a real vote, boost ticket legitimacy and create a more independent vice president.

Why it matters: - The resolution seeks to shift power away from presidential nominees and toward convention delegates in the GOP vice-presidential selection process. - Supporters say the change would strengthen internal checks inside the party and, ultimately, inside the executive branch. - Advocates argue a more open process could improve ticket legitimacy at a time of growing distrust in institutions and sharper ideological divisions inside the Republican coalition.

What happened: - The Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia adopted a resolution supporting reform of the Republican Party’s process for selecting its vice-presidential nominee. - Mike ter Maat, the RLCVA treasurer, said GOP delegates would likely support being empowered to choose the vice-presidential nominee. - Ter Maat said the change would create political legitimacy for the ticket and foster a more independent vice president. - The resolution follows similar action recently taken by the Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas.

The details: - RLCVA board members say the current process is overly centralized. - Under the current system, vice-presidential nominees are effectively chosen by presidential nominees before convention delegates have a meaningful chance to evaluate or debate alternatives. - The resolution calls for multiple vice-presidential candidates to be formally considered at the convention. - The resolution also seeks to restore meaningful voting authority to delegates. - Advocates want open evaluation instead of closed-door selection. - Supporters say the reform would strengthen the legitimacy and accountability of presidential tickets. - Supporters say the reform would help create a vice president capable of serving as a constitutional check within the executive branch. - The RLCVA says Republican convention rules already preserve substantial authority for delegates. - Supporters also point to historical precedent for conventions playing an active role in vice-presidential selection.

Between the lines: - The push reflects a broader libertarian-style argument inside the GOP for limiting concentrated power and distributing decision-making more widely. - The proposal also signals a desire to make the vice president less personally dependent on the presidential nominee. - That independence could matter in governing, not just in party politics, if the reform idea gains traction.

What’s next: - The resolution adds pressure for broader discussion inside Republican circles about how convention delegates are used in the vice-presidential nomination process. - Supporters appear to be betting that party rules and historical practice give them a plausible path for change. - The RLCVA says it will continue to advocate for individual liberty, limited government, free markets and constitutional principles inside the Republican Party.