Illinois County GOP Chair Resigns Over ‘Racist’ Email

The chairman of the Republican Party in Montgomery County has resigned after writing what's been called a racist and sexist email about U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis' primary challenger.

Illinois Republican Party chairman Jack Dorgan said he accepted Jim Allen's resignation on Thursday afternoon. Allen wrote an email Tuesday suggesting Erika Harold could fill a "minority quota'' if she lost the Republican primary. The biracial Harvard law school graduate was crowned Miss America in 2003 and launched her bid to challenge Davis this month.

Allen has apologized for the message that's been called a "racist rant.''

During a conference call Thursday, Davis said he was appalled by Allen’s comments, saying it is clear he should step down as Montgomery County Republican Chair and a leader in the party.

"He's never talked to me in any sort of manner like that  since I have ever known him," Davis said. "I have not had a chance to talk with him. I would hope he is incredibly disappointed by the incredibly, incredibly wrong comments that he made."

Allen's name already was removed from a list of Davis supporters.