James Hulings has been appointed chairman of the Butler County Republican Committee.

The committee executive board made the appointment Monday.

Hulings replaces Edward Natali, who resigned and decided not to seek a third term as chairman.

The committee appointed Robert Craig to replace Hulings as external vice chairman.

There are two committee members in each of the county’s 86 voting precincts and all of those positions are open in the May 15 primary.

The committee will hold a reorganization meeting to elect officers in June after the results of the primary are certified.

Hulings said he will seek a full two-year term as chairman, but others will likely be nominated for the position at the meeting. He said nominations are made from the floor during the meeting.

“I want to be a full-blown go get ’em chairman,” Hulings said.

However, the committee has a lot of work to do for the primary before the reorganization meeting.

Poll workers and poll watchers have to be organized, Hulings said.

Any primary candidate can request a poll watcher, he said.

Natali said he resigned a couple of months before his term ended so there could be a smooth transition to a new chairman.

“I resigned now to allow people to get into new leadership roles,” Natali said. “It allows them to gain some valuable experience. I’m still planning on helping through the transition process.”

Leaving the chairman’s seat also reduces conflicts with his work schedule as a project manager for steel maker NLMK in Farrell.

“It’s hard to juggle work and the party,” Natali said.

He said he is proud of what he did for the committee and party while he was chairman.

“It’s a good time for change. I helped the committee move forward. I feel good about the things I did. I look for the committee and the party to do great things in the community. Jim has been an integral part of the leadership the last few years,” Natali said.