The political consultant who conducted an investigation of his client’s GOP primary opponent for the Hall County Republican Party said Monday that he had stepped down, at least temporarily, from his seat on the executive committee of the Hall County GOP.

But Tommy Sandoval said he did not step down as parliamentarian of the county party.

Sandoval, who has represented District 4 of the party, said he would be moving to District 2. That post was left vacant by the resignation of Chris Masters, who is challenging Hall County Commissioner Billy Powell in today’s Republican primary.

Hall County Republican Party Chairman Paul Stanley, an attorney, said he was in court Monday and would issue a statement later.

Sandoval’s departure from the executive committee followed a vote last week to denounce the candidacy of Bob Vass, a former sheriff who switched to the Republican Party.

Sandoval, who represents Jennifer Gibbs, one of Vass’ two opponents, made the motion in the executive committee meeting to denounce Vass’ candidacy. The news surprised some party faithful, some of whom asked for a reversal of the action.

While no official announcement was offered by the party on Monday, Stanley, in an e-mailed response, said "there won’t be an apology."

The contest between Gibbs, Vass and a third challenger, Charles Baker, came about after published reports in The Times revealed that the current clerk of court, Dwight Wood, had used a loophole in the law to retain more than $134,000 in passport fees for his personal use.

Sandoval has worked for other candidates, including state Sen. Lee Hawkins, R-Gainesville. His most recent work for Hawkins was in June, according to the candidate’s disclosure reports.