Former State Sen. Randy Brogdon, whose short tenure as Oklahoma Republican Party chairman has been marked with turmoil, is stepping down from the post.

Former State Rep. Charles Key said Brogdon has scheduled a Sept. 12 meeting to elect a new chairman. He said Brogdon had a short statement saying that in his time as chairman he tried to expand the party and reach out to disparate groups. Key said Brogdon does not intend to run for elective office.

Brogdon, a tea party favorite who once was critical of the Pledge of Allegiance because it doesn't emphasize state rights, was elected on April 11 as the new chairman of the party. He said he wanted the party to become more conservative.

He gave a party staff position to T.C. Ryan, who once pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges. For weeks, Brogdon rejected party members' calls to fire Ryan. Ryan finally resigned as political director after Gov. Mary Fallin and other GOP officials said the charges made him unsuitable for the leadership position.