Michael Hough

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.

The Frederick County Republican Central Committee appointed two new members on Monday, according to The Frederick News-Post.

Richard Cheney and Bill Shreve will replace Tim Brooks and Bill Ashton, who were dismissed by the state's executive committee after failing to attend over three state conventions.