The Republican Party of San Diego has joined the chorus of voices asking for the resignation of Poway City Councilwoman Betty Rexford, who until this week had been a member of the party for about 18 years.

"The conduct she has engaged in is not the conduct of an elected official," said Tony Krvaric, chairman of the party in San Diego.

Rexford's fellow members on the City Council asked her to resign in August after the city settled a lawsuit that had been filed by Rexford's neighbors, who claimed the councilwoman used her influence to hinder construction plans on their property.

The lawsuit cost the city about $500,000, and a petition drive was launched to put a recall election against Rexford on the June ballot.

On Monday, the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of San Diego voted to rebuke Rexford for "inappropriate behavior and abuse of power" and has asked for her resignation, Krvaric said. The decision came after Rexford declined to appear before the committee to tell her side of the story, he said.

Reached at home Tuesday, Rexford said she didn't want to meet with the committee because she felt it had already decided against her. Rexford also said she filled out a voter registration form Friday to change her party affiliation from Republican to "decline to state" because she did not like how the GOP was trying to influence local politics.

"The thing is, they want all Republicans in there," she said. "I don't think the party should get involved in this, because it's not a partisan council."

Rexford said Krvaric told her he wanted her to resign so a Republican could be appointed in her place. Saying residents do not want an appointed council member, she reiterated her stand against stepping down.

Rexford said she never was strongly entrenched in the GOP and always votes for the candidate she likes best rather than the party.

"I think the Republicans are so full of themselves because they lost the White House," Rexford said. "Frankly, I was going to change my party years ago, and then this guy (Krvaric) got to me."

Krvaric said it is highly unusual for the GOP to call for the resignation of a fellow party member. But while calling the recall drive against Republican Oceanside City Councilman Jerry Kern a "total sham," Krvaric said the drive against Rexford is legitimate.

"This is highly unusual, but when a Republican elected official conducts him or herself this way, abusing the power of their office, we cannot stand silent," he said.

Krvaric said he suspects Rexford changed her party in hopes that the GOP would have no interest in taking a stand against her. In reality, he said, it made it easier on the party to rebuke her.

Call staff writer Gary Warth at 760-740-5410.