Summit County Republican Party Chairman Alex R. Arshinkoff has been bumped from the county's Board of Elections after serving 30 years.

Arshinkoff, who was up for reappointment this year, was nominated by the county's GOP, but Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, who by law approves board nominations, rejected it.

"It would be inappropriate to have him serve longer," Brunner said.

Brunner said Arshinkoff, an old-style political boss, was running his GOP machine out of elections board offices, threatening and intimidating board workers who balked at his orders.

In a letter to Arshinkoff, she wrote: "Credible claims indicate that you have berated staff and created a hostile work environment in which board employees have endured coercion if not outright threats."

Arshinkoff could not be reached for comment Wednesday. But he has a right to appeal Brunner's decision in court.

Republican state Sen. Kevin Coughlin, who is leading the first challenge to Arshinkoff's 30 years as the county's Republican party chairman, commended Brunner's move.

"I think that it validates what we've been saying, that Alex Arshinkoff is not a leader that Republicans can be proud of," said Coughlin, of Cuyahoga Falls. "He has abused his power. He has abused his position. He has abused employees at the board to strengthen his grip on the local party apparatus."