Chet Jack, internal vice chairman, is serving as interim chairman of the Butler GOP, previously known as the Butler County Republican Committee.

The move followed chairman Gary Vanasdale’s request for a temporary leave of absence through Nov. 8, the Butler GOP announced in a letter dated Saturday, Aug. 26.

The Butler GOP also announced its name change from the Butler County Republican Committee on Saturday.

Vanasdale’s leave of absence, which began Saturday, was taken to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest following his wife, Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale’s, announcement that she is running for Butler County District Attorney, Gilliland Vanasdale and Jack confirmed on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Gilliland Vanasdale is a registered Independent, former committee solicitor and her husband’s attorney.

“My husband and I are separate people, we are individuals,” she said. “But to avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict or interest, my husband has made the decision to seek a voluntary leave of absence and, you know, I support his decision.”

Jack said he is excited to help the Butler GOP move forward in his role as interim chairman, and that one of his goals will be to win the statewide judicial election.

Jack said the group’s name change was made to avoid confusion with other entities and align its name with the one on its website.

“It’s just (going to) eliminate any confusion,” Jack said. “It’s more in keeping with the website.”

Gilliland Vanasdale added that since the Republican Party of Pennsylvania is called the PA GOP, calling Butler County’s committee the Butler GOP was easy to follow.

The two other Republican organizations in the county include the Butler County Republican Committee Inc. and the United Republicans of Butler County.