POWAY, Calif. -- The Republican Party of San Diego County has joined an ongoing campaign demanding that Poway City Councilwoman Betty Rexford resign, it was reported Wednesday.

Rexford, 69, was a longtime Republican until last week, when she changed her party affiliation to "decline to state," according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

On Tuesday, the county GOP issued a statement that blasts Rexford for walking out on a public comment period to avoid her critics, the newspaper reported.

Rexford has been under fire for the past two months in the wake of a lawsuit against the city that settled out of court for $360,000 this summer.

The lawsuit accused Rexford of abusing her authority by pressuring city employees to make life difficult for two neighbors building a home near her southern Poway house. Rexford has denied any wrongdoing and has ignored requests from fellow council members and the public to step down.

"We have been keeping an eye on the situation in Poway for some time, and asked Councilwoman Rexford to meet without executive committee to tell her side of the story," said Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County.

"Instead of accepting, last Friday she decided to switch her party affiliation to 'decline to state' in an attempt to avoid the issue," said Krvaric.

Rexford is the subject of a recall movement that could lead to a recall election as early as June, if enough valid signatures are gathered.