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Two staff members of the Maryland Republican Party have left, and the top officers of the GOP said they want the chairman to explain why, or resign.

Chairman James Pelura III asked for Executive Director Justin Ready's resignation Monday morning. Events coordinator April Rose of Carroll County tendered her resignation, according to Chris Cavey, the party's first vice chairman.

The actions follow a series of events that have shaken the party. House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (Dist. 29C) of Lusby and House Minority Whip Christopher B. Shank (Dist. 2B) of Hagerstown wrote the party's executive committee to rein in Pelura's comments critical of Republican lawmakers.

Then last week, Pelura suddenly canceled a candidate education forum scheduled for later this month.

Pelura, a Davidsonville veterinarian, said Tuesday the executive committee meeting would take place July 18. He declined to comment on Ready's departure because it is a personnel matter.

Ready of Carroll County had no comment Tuesday.

Pelura also said the July candidate forum was not canceled, only postponed until the fall.

Cavey said the executive committee, made up of 31 of the party's top leaders, met last week.

"There was no inkling of any personnel problems. No inkling of any pending firings. No inkling of anything," Cavey said.

After receiving word of the departures, Cavey said the party's top seven elected officials asked Pelura to convene an executive committee meeting.

"We have asked for either Jim to account for the action or to resign," Cavey said.

By GOP bylaws, Pelura doesn't have to call the meeting. If he doesn't, it would take two-thirds of the executive committee to force one, said Cavey of Baltimore County.

Louis M. Pope, the party's national committeeman, said he believed Ready never submitted a letter.

"Mr. Pelura has taken on himself to make numerous decisions without either consulting or informing the other elected officers of the party," said Pope of Laurel.

"The goal of all of the elected members of the party should be working together, seeking each other's counsel toward building a stronger Republican party, registering Republican voters and electing Republican candidates. Period."