After 18 months on the job, Jeanie Forrester is stepping down as leader of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
Citing "an opportunity to work with local government" Forrester announced her resignation in a late afternoon letter sent to her party's executive committee.
Her resignation comes as both parties gear up for election season. It also follows campaign finance filings showing the state Democratic Party out-raising the New Hampshire GOP by close to 9-1.
Republicans have also had a tough string of elections. Democrats reclaimed the mayor's office in Manchester and won 9 of 11 special elections for seats in Concord.
Prior to winning Governor Chris Sununu's endorsement to lead the party, Forrester had been Sununu's rival in the 2016 election. Before that she served three terms in the state Senate. Forrester has also held town administrator jobs in Tuftonboro and New Boston.
Starting next week, state GOP Vice Chairman Wayne MacDonald will again lead his party. MacDonald been pressed into service to lead the party before, in 2011 when then-GOP chairman Jack Kimball resigned under duress.
