The original Butler County Republican Committee elected a new slate of officers who plan to continue working to support Republican candidates regardless of the previous formation of another county Republican Committee.

At a reorganization meeting Wednesday, Cindy Hilderbrand was elected chairwoman, Cheryl Guenther was elected internal vice chairwoman, John Kovacic was elected external vice chairman, Kristen Vargo was elected secretary and Tom Davidson was elected treasurer for the 2022-2024 term.

“With the many new faces to both the committee and the executive committee, we are looking forward to moving the Republican Committee of Butler County in a good, new, and refreshing direction. The committee hopes to move forward not only with the party but also within the community. Many of the candidates for the executive committee mentioned and discussed their desire to do more and truly use the committee to its fullest potential, benefiting all of Butler County,” the committee that was elected Wednesday said in an email.

Hilderbrand said she is not concerned with what occurred before she was elected, and the committee will proceed with plans to support Republican candidates and serve the community unless the Republican Party of Pennsylvania tells the committee not to.

“I have no desire to get involved with what happened prior to me. They can do what they want. That's OK with me,” Hilderbrand said, regarding another committee that also identifies as the Butler County Republican Committee.

The other committee elected a different slate of officers during a July 14 reorganization meeting. Bill Halle is president, Michael Oehling and Gary Vanasdale are co-chairmen and Madeline Petrus is secretary.

In May, the original Butler County Republican Committee filed a lawsuit in Butler County Common Pleas Court alleging that Halle and two others — Erik Edwards and Zachary Scherer — had incorporated a nonprofit by the name “Butler County Republican Committee” with no relation to the actual committee. A May ruling ordered the trio to stop using the Butler County Republican Committee name and dissolve its non-profit corporation. That ruling was reversed on July 19 and then vacated on July 27.

Neither Halle or Vanasdale could be reached for comment Thursday.

Now, Hilderbrand said the original party is planning an event to support Dr. Mehmet Oz, a Republican candidate running to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate against Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.

Community events such as a blood drive are also going to be planned, she said.

The committee hasn’t decided whether it will endorse candidates, she said.

“I just want to help get Republicans in office,” Hilderbrand said.

Al Lindsay, the past chairman of the original committee who was not re-elected as the committee representative, said he is glad to be stepping away.

“My exit from the scene is one of the happiest days of my life” Lindsay said.

He said the original party is now in the hands of young, strong leaders.

“Our enemies are Democratic polices that we think are ruining our country,” Lindsay said.