MontCo GOP wants Hoeffel to quit local elections board (Updated)

Now that he is planning a Democratic run for governor, the Montgomery County GOP wants local Commissioner Joe Hoeffel to resign his position on the county Board of Elections. [See Update: Hoeffel had already quit elections board before the GOP called on him to do so.]

In a statement Wednesday, local party chairman Bob Kerns said that as chair of the panel, Hoeffel “can act in that capacity to advantage his candidacy for Governor.”

“Elections should be free and fair,” Kerns said. “Hoeffel needs to step aside immediately to ensure he’s not setting the table for himself.”

Hoeffel did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.

It’s not the first time Kerns has used Hoeffel’s spot on the elections board to criticize his political activity. After Hoeffel praised Democrats’ accomplishment in regaining the political majority in Montgomery County last summer, Kerns issued a similar attack.

UPDATE: Hoeffel had already quit the elections board before the GOP called on him to do so.