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ANNAPOLIS — Republican legislators are circulating a letter that calls for the resignation of state party chairman Dr. James Pelura, whose leadership has been called too unfocused as the GOP tries to rebound from crippling losses in 2006.

The letter, several sources said, has been making the rounds in both chambers and specifically refers to Pelura's failures with party registration, fundraising and grass-roots building. It is not clear whether lawmakers who are orchestrating the signature drive intend to deliver the letter or air their concerns individually.

One source said at least half of the 14-member Senate GOP caucus already had signed the letter. It's not known how many of the 36 House Republicans are part of the effort.

But frustration with Pelura among some lawmakers seems to have reached a boiling point.

"I would be hard-pressed if asked to state what his accomplishments are or even what his priorities have been since he's been in office," said Del. Michael D. Smigiel Sr. (R-Dist. 36) of Elkton, who is one of Pelura's harshest critics. "It's clear the party's rudderless. There's a lack of direction."

On Thursday, Pelura said he had no knowledge of the letter.

"Nobody has approached me," he said when reached by phone. "I haven't had anything, no requests, nothing at all. In fact, things are going pretty good with the party. We've got a lot of items planned; we're moving right along."

To be fair, lawmakers acknowledge that Pelura was not handed an easy job. The Davidsonville veterinarian, who previously chaired the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign in 2004 in Maryland, was elected chairman shortly after the defeat of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., which left the GOP without a true leader in elected office. Fundraising dried up, and the party had to take out a $100,000 line of credit to cover its debts.

Since 2007, the party has paid down most of the credit line and now owes about $13,000, said Justin Ready, the state GOP executive director. The party also is exceeding its budget goals for the current calendar year, he said.

Still, Pelura has had a rocky relationship with elected Republicans in Annapolis. Many have grumbled privately that he should be more focused on party-building activities like recruiting candidates and engaging grass-roots activists instead of inserting himself into policy debates that do not fall under the purview of party chairman.

Legislators have had discussions about Pelura's effectiveness for months, and they have continued during the General Assembly session. Although the letter supposedly calls for Pelura's resignation, other lawmakers said there has been some talk about just calling for a vote of no confidence.

Senate Minority Leader Allan H. Kittleman said he's particularly concerned about ineffective party registration strategies and the party's ability to raise enough money for GOP candidates running for office in the next election.

"I don't think the party is in a position now to provide the assistance necessary to support Republican candidates in 2010," he said.

Kittleman (R-Dist. 9) of West Friendship doesn't question Pelura's desire to see the party succeed, but he's not convinced that rank-and-file Republicans have faith that the current chairman can get the job done.

"With only 18 months to go before the next election, we certainly don't have much time to raise the necessary funds," he said.

With slightly more than three weeks remaining in the session, lawmakers said it's important that the frustration over party leadership not overshadow or hamper the GOP's legislative agenda.

"Our focus right now has got to be on cleaning up the mess that Governor O'Malley and the Democratic leadership in Annapolis have gotten us into," said House Minority Whip Christopher B. Shank (R-Dist. 2B) of Hagerstown.

Still, speaking on his own behalf and not as a member of House leadership, Shank said concerns about the party's future direction are serious.

"For me, it is very disconcerting to be making these accusations in public, and I am very sensitive to Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment," he said, referring to the 40th president's statement that "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican."

"But that is trumped any day of the week by my loyalty to Republican candidates at every level of the ballot in future elections," he added.

Would Republicans be making a tactical error in changing leadership in the down slope of an election cycle?

"I think now is precisely the time for a turnaround agent, much like a Michael Steele, to revitalize the party and set things on a path for renewal," said Shank, who declined to identify a replacement chairman. "My business is to work on behalf of Republicans in this state, and I see a problem that needs to be fixed."

Staff Writer Janel Davis contributed to this report.