Harnett supporter blasts Hayes' comments

But Womack said the words he used to defend Harnett have been twisted by Hayes, a former congressman and who had served as party chairman in 2011 and 2012, in public comments made after Saturday's meeting.

"It was a kangaroo court that removed our chairman," Womack said.

Harnett was out of town when the executive committee removed him and has not offered public comment since the action.

Hayes made the remarks that incited Womack to break his silence shortly after the meeting ended during an interview with WRAL News and The News & Observer.

Referring to Harnett, Hayes said, "He did not have the background, the experience and the leadership skills that come from being immersed in the process over a number of years. The person who was speaking on his behalf said that in the beginning (of the meeting). I'm just repeating what is own people said."

Womack said Hayes mischaracterized what he had said, making it appear as if he were critical of Harnett's background.

"We didn't elect the typical inside-politics leader," Womack said, explaining why Harnett appealed to the grassroots activists who buoyed his bid last summer.

Harnett, he said, was chosen on a pledge to be more responsive to the grassroots and change the way the party operated rather than his facility for chairing meetings or dealing with the party's various committees.

"What we elected was a person who was popular for his advocacy around the state," Womack said.

None of that, Womack said, was meant as a criticism of Harnett or should be taken to imply that the now-former chairman wasn't up to the job.

Womack said Hayes might have been piqued by evidence that showed Harnett was a better fundraiser than Hayes. Regardless, Womack said, Hayes was bucking the rules of the very meeting that brought him back to the party chairmanship.

"I call for his immediate resignation," Womack said.