New Hampshire Republican Chairman Jack Kimball, holding back tears, resigned his position at a party executive committee meeting on Sept. 1, at the Holiday Inn in Concord.

Kimball told members, as well as a room full of supporters, that the most important thing for the process, state, and the nation, was to defeat President Obama and elect a Republican governor in the Granite State in 2012.

Those in attendance loudly cheered upon hearing those words but were silenced and shocked by Kimball’s resignation not long after he called for unity.

One female voice from the crowd yelled, “Don’t do it Jack!”

However, Kimball held up his hand and said it was time for the squabbling to stop.

Kimball received a standing ovation after his remarks and walked away from the committee.

A motion was made by Concord Republican Jeff Newman to accept the resignation and the board voted unanimously to do so.

The meeting was then quickly gaveled to a close.

Editor's note: A more complete story with photos and video will be posted on NH Patch sites first thing tomorrow morning.