A group of Republicans dissatisfied with the way the Trumbull County Republican Party is operating created a new club that will seek to raise money and recruit candidates for elected office.

Marleah Campbell, the county Republican Party’s secretary, is serving as president of the Conservative Club of Trumbull County.

The club held its first meeting Thursday at the Bazetta Township Hall by invitation only.

Campbell said of the club, “This will allow us to do things for candidates and the public that the party isn’t doing. We’ll be raising money for candidates, supporting them and storing campaign materials for them.”

Campbell said she isn’t resigning as party secretary, but is considering it.

Campbell ran Dec. 3 for party chair. The first ballot was a tie between her and Julia Shutt. Shutt won by a single vote on the second ballot.

Campbell said she didn’t become president of the Conservative Club of Trumbull County because she lost the party chairmanship.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t like the direction of the party,” Campbell said. “I don’t want to say anything negative about Julia.”

But, Campbell said, “Several people are dissatisfied with the current state of the party and the leadership. We keep pushing people into offices who are not conservatives.”

Among the issues, Campbell said, is former Democratic candidates have switched parties to run as Republicans in the past few years without any vetting from the party.

Republicans enjoyed historic success in the 2022 and 2024 elections, winning every contested race on both ballots in a county that was a Democratic stronghold for decades. For the first time in more than 90 years, Republicans dominate Trumbull County politics.

However, the party itself is mired because of infighting between factions.

The party has spent the last few years greatly divided and has had three chairs and two interims in the past three years.

Campbell said: “The purpose of this club, as currently envisioned, will be to interview and vet candidates seeking office with the goal of endorsing and assisting true conservatives and the best qualified candidates for good government. All candidates will have the opportunity to speak to the club and its members at our meetings. We will fundraise throughout the year to assist those candidates that the club endorses.”

Shutt said the party “is not an exclusive club, but a big-tent party that welcomes all to think and discern for themselves, and is also the party of common sense and conservative values. We welcome any person or group that can bring us qualified electable Republican candidates.”

Shutt said she “will continue to do my best to unify the party. This will attract new energy and people. The (party) will promote great candidates and our Republican elected officials.”

Campbell said she wants her club to work with the party. Several of those in the club are central committee members.

Asked if Campbell should resign as party secretary, Shutt said, “I want to work with people who want to work with me. It’s not healthy to be in leadership if you don’t want to support the chair. I’ve been told by Marleah she supports me.”