State GOP Evicts & Reinstates Local Party Chairman

The Credentials Committee of the Pennsylvania Republican Party has voted unanimously to remove Republican City Committee Chairman Vito Canuso from his post, citing "numerous irregularities" in a June election.  But Rob Gleason, chairman of the state party, immediately reinstated Canuso, saying his focus for now is "on the upcoming important elections" and he will review the matter after the Nov. 2 general election.

The Credentials Committee held a hearing last Thursday to consider a challenge filed by Kevin Kelly, one of the leaders of a group of younger Republicans who are challenging the old guard in Philadelphia.  Kelly claims Al Schmidt, a senior adviser for the state party in Philadelphia, was the winner of the June election for chairman but that Republican City Committee leaders wrongly prevented some ward leaders from voting.

Kelly's attorney, J. Matthew Wolfe, said he was considering his options with the ruling and may appeal because the challenge asked for Al Schmidt to be declared the winner.  Wolfe said by his count Schmidt had 21 votes before some were wrongly prevented from casting ballots while Canuso had 18 votes.  "It certainly demonstrates that it came out to the Credential Committee that they flat-out tried to cheat," Wolfe said of the decision.

The state party quickly stepped in to quell any disruption, with elections for governor and the U.S. Senate just seven weeks away.  The state party issued a statement saying Gleason will conduct a "full and comprehensive review" of the local dispute after the general election.

"This ruling does not prevent Mr. Canuso from serving as Chairman of the Philadelphia Republican City Committee, and the Republican Party of Pennsylvania has no jurisdiction in overseeing the election of the Chairmanship to the Philadelphia Republican City Committee," the statement said. "Chairman Gleason has indicated that he will temporarily seat Mr. Canuso until he can conduct a full review of the matter after the election."

You can read Gleason's full statement after the jump.  You can read the Credential Committee's ruling here.

"The final decision regarding the seating of Mr. Canuso now rests with the Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason. Chairman Gleason has indicated that due to the lengthy nature of the evidence provided, combined with the critical 2010 elections just weeks away, he plans to postpone a final ruling until after Election Day when he can conduct a full and comprehensive review. Our focus continues to be on the upcoming important elections and Chairman Gleason does not want to divert attention away from our candidates being successful in November. This ruling does not prevent Mr. Canuso from serving as Chairman of the Philadelphia Republican City Committee, and the Republican Party of Pennsylvania has no jurisdiction in overseeing the election of the Chairmanship to the Philadelphia Republican City Committee. Chairman Gleason has indicated that he will temporarily seat Mr. Canuso until he can conduct a full review of the matter after the election."