ST. LOUIS – Presidential endorsements have created a messy division within the ranks of conservative national group Eagle Forum, founded by longtime conservative leader Phyllis Schlafly.
Schlafly, who lives in the St. Louis area, endorsed businessman Donald Trump for the GOP nomination on March 11th, saying he promised he would back the current Republican National Party platform and that he would nominate Scalia-like Supreme Court candidates.
Not everyone in her organization – or her family – agreed with Schlafly's decision.
Thursday, news of a growing organizational fissure was made public.
One of Schlafly's six children – Anne Cori – was ousted from the Missouri Eagle Forum Board Thursday morning for "disloyalty" to her mother.
"Today, the Missouri Eagle Forum Board met and voted to replace Anne Cori as member of that board. This was the final step in the process because of Ann's disloyalty to our founder of Eagle Forum, Phyllis Schlafly," an update sent out by the group's national director Ed Martin said Thursday.
A few months ago, the statement said, "Anne refused a request by Phyllis to step aside as President of Missouri Eagle Forum."
Mrs. Cori chose instead to endorse U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.
In addition, Cathie Adams, who has travelled worldwide over the years representing Eagle Forum at United Nations meetings, was also publicly reprimanded by Schlafly. Adams is in the midst of a statewide campaign to leadership in Texas' GOP.
"Phyllis has rescinded her personal endorsement of Cathie Adams in her race for Vice Chair of the Republican Party of Texas," the statement said. "Cathie has been disloyal and just this week has refused to return Phyllis' phone call."
Adams also endorsed Cruz for president.
