The Vermont Republican Party has announced the resignation of Jeff Bartley as its executive director.

There had been indications that his departure was imminent, but party officials had refused to comment on the record. Bartley hadn't put his name to any VTGOP press releases since mid-December, and in recent days his Twitter feed has been resolutely apolitical.

Bartley had held the job for a little more than three years. Before that, the Colchester resident had occupied a variety of political posts. He was briefly campaign manager for Len Britton's unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate in 2010 and was deputy press secretary for Rich Tarrant's failed Senate candidacy in 2006. (His tenure with Britton's campaign ended with his sudden resignation — followed by a lawsuit against Britton that he filed one week before election day.)

“It was a wonderful ride," said Bartley in a press release from the VTGOP announcing his departure. "I am proud of the team I was a part of over the last four years and what we were able to accomplish."

In the same release, VTGOP chair Deb Billado praised Bartley. “Jeff was part of a strong, successful Republican team that made substantial gains, and we are well positioned going forward to add to those gains," she said. "I wish Jeff all the best and thank him for helping to make a difference.”

Billado declined further comment. She will now be in the unenviable position of hiring a new state executive director for a chronically underfunded party with minimal paid staff, just as campaign season gets under way.