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NAPLES — Never mind.

After resigning last week, Collier County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Steve Hemping withdrew his resignation Wednesday.

Hemping sent a resignation e-mail to Karen Thurman, head of Florida’s Democratic party last week, citing disrespect, insubordination and a “dark energy” from within the local ranks.

At the time, it was noted by several locals that Hemping resigned but his resignation had not been accepted.

Hemping issued a statement Wednesday saying he plans to remain chairman of the party after all.

Likening his e-mail outburst to a family squabble, Hemping said, “Ya know, we’re Democrats. We like to debate and discuss things to the nth degree.”

Discussions sometimes get heated, but “we let that all come to the surface, and have fun with it,” Hemping said.

Asked about his long Aug. 4 e-mail in which he criticized several locals for working against him, Hemping said he took over the party leadership midterm in an election year, and as a result, “my agenda is very aggressive,” he said.

“We’re trying to do a lot in a little bit of time,” he said.

Praising 19-year chairman Chuck Mohlke, Hemping said they have a slightly different style, and it takes a while for people to get used to it.

“Chuck is a great guy. He did a great job considering the environment,” Hemping said.

But now he wants people to be able to state their party alliance openly and with pride, instead of joining the Republican Party in order to get elected to office, or declaring themselves Independents.

“All I ever wanted to do is to make these changes and grow the party, and it’s working,” Hemping said. As for his relationship with those he criticized, he said they’ve spoken and everything’s fine.

“We’re coming out of this. We’re gonna be stronger for it. So, do not make the mistake that we are weakened (from arguing within.) We are stronger for it,” Hemping said.