Context from further in the article: Williams came under fire initially for his lackluster fundraising and because he worked as a full-time aide to a state lawmaker while leading the state Republican party. The criticism only intensified as he mounted an unsuccessful run for Congress.
When U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, announced in January that he would step aside, Williams used the state party email to announce that he would run for the 5th Congressional District seat in El Paso County.
Williams has rejected calls to step down as party chairman, and spent party money in late February to criticize his opponent, conservative commentator and activist Jeff Crank, among others. In April, Williams had a Colorado Sun reporter tossed out of the state party assembly.
For the first time in recent memory, if not ever, the Colorado GOP endorsed candidates in competitive primary elections, drawing anger from many in the party. Of the 18 candidates endorsed by the party, only four won their contests.