Alderman pushes for Weldon to leave Frederick Co. chairmanship

Update

Less than a week after Del. Rick Weldon (I-Frederick) announced he would be leaving the Republican Party and registering as an independent, Alderman C. Paul Smith (R-Frederick) says he wants Weldon to step down as chair of the Frederick County legislative delegation.

Smith first made the call in a letter to the Frederick County Republican Central Committee, urging them to take a strong stance on the issue.

"This action is in fact a repudiation of the Republican Party, and thus it would be a colossal act of self-destruction for the Republican Party if the County's delegation were to retain Rick as its chairman in the future," wrote Smith in an email to the Central Committee.

In an interview with PolitickerMD.com, Smith said the position has historically been reserved for a Republican.

"A Republican should head our delegation," said Smith. "I think it would be best for the party." 

The issue remains up in the air, according to Central Committee Chair Michael Hough. He told PolitickerMD.com that the letter will need to be presented to the committee before he takes an official stance on the issue.

Weldon says he has not resigned from his post and would like to keep it, despite reports that suggest otherwise.

"All I have said is that I would rather step aside than force my friends in the Republican Party to choose between blind allegiance to their Party and friendship with me. I don't place litmus tests of loyalty on my friends the way the Republican Party in Frederick County seems to on their members," wrote Weldon in an email to PolitickerMD.com.

Weldon said if Republican members of the county's legislative delegation prefer he step aside to "save them that conflict, I'll glady do so."

"Otherwise, I'm happy to continue my service as Chairman. The ball is in their court," he added.

Weldon has already announced he will be stepping down from his seat in the state House come 2010. Hough has officially announced a bid for Weldon's seat.