Trumbull County Republicans are likely to do well on the Nov. 5 ballot in spite of the infighting among those involved in the party.

The party has had several internal arguments that led to the ouster of one chairman and the resignations of two others, including one after publicly criticizing several party officials for quitting.

In February, an effort by some party officials to change bylaws — including having endorsements, permitting sanctions and requiring annual dues — was squashed by vocal objectors.

The latest chapter in the party battle focuses on a political action committee, TCR Grassroots PAC, that backed successful candidates in the March 19 Republican primary.

The PAC handed out slate cards of recommended candidates, primarily for county and judicial offices as well as for two state House seats and one U.S. House race.

The county prosecutor’s office initially declined a request from the board of elections to ask various state and federal agencies to investigate the PAC. It then changed directions Monday and agreed to offer assistance in identifying what entity should review the PAC.

The PAC filed a statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission on March 11, signed by Regina McManus, a political consultant, who is listed as its treasurer and designated agent.

McManus insists she followed the law.

But the board of elections questions that with some saying the PAC needed to file with the board rather than the FEC.

Federal election laws permit PACs to contribute directly to local candidate committees as long as there is no coordination.

McManus served as Rick Hernandez’s campaign manager during his successful challenge to incumbent Commissioner Niki Frenchko in the Republican primary. But that is McManus coordinating and not the PAC so the rule isn’t cut and dry.

Among the four serving on the board of elections is Marleah Campbell, who also is the county Republican Party’s secretary.

Campbell said during a Tuesday board meeting in which the PAC was discussed: “It goes straight to election interference and election fraud.”

She added that people “want integrity in their elections” and the involvement of the PAC interfered with that.

County Commissioner Denny Malloy, who had McManus as his campaign manager in his successful 2022 election, said at the meeting that Campbell was “bullying” him and others with false claims of “an illegal PAC.” He also said it was inappropriate for Campbell to be “clearly driving this investigation against someone who’s a political enemy. She’s clearly got a vendetta.”

Campbell told Malloy: “I find it funny that you are trying so hard to fight for this PAC.”

Campbell sent emails on March 11 to members of the party’s central and executive committees critical of the PAC.

In that email, Campbell specifically pointed to Malloy, McManus, county Auditor Martha Yoder and others, including David Engler, a judicial candidate whose email address is listed on the PAC’s FEC filing, for distributing a packet of information against changing the party’s bylaws.

Campbell wrote: “They infuriated everyone with their remarks about why the party shouldn’t endorse candidates which led to a very tumultuous meeting where absolutely nothing was accomplished — other than no one talking about the proposed amendments. It seems that was their intention.”

She attached the PAC’s slate card and a letter from a “concerned person,” writing: “You will see by the enclosed attachments that the reason they did NOT want the party to endorse is because they wanted to be able to do it themselves.”

Campbell added: “Do you believe this is fair? The members of the party should be the only ones to endorse, if anyone. By not doing so, you paved the way for these false advertisements by Regina McManus. Most of you have been duped by certain members of the party. I think if you look back, you will see that since Malloy and McManus got involved, this party has been divided more than ever. This is what happens when you let Democrats in your party.”

McManus said the friendship she had with Campbell “went sour a few years ago. Since that time, Marleah Campbell has had a personal vendetta with me – whether it’s jealousy or whatever, I don’t care. What I don’t understand is why she takes it out on our Republican candidates.”

She added: “I understand that the Democrats want to keep this county from becoming more red, and I do not understand why any Republican official would want to bully TCR and try to silence a group that is making a difference in Trumbull County.”

Have an interesting story? Contact David Skolnick by email at dskolnick@vindy.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @dskolnick.