A political battle between two powerful Bucks County women seems headed for resolution on Saturday, when a Republican Party reorganization meeting will yield a new vice chair for the first time in over three decades.

Keren McIlhinney Putnam, 65, has long been a force in Bucks County politics as the Republican Committee vice chair under longtime party leader Harry Fawkes. Rarely in her more than 30-year run as vice chair has McIlhinney Putnam, protected by Fawkes, ever been seriously challenged for reelection.

But last week she decided to cease her bid for reelection, paving the way for state party treasurer Pat Poprik to take her place, The Intelligencer reports.

"I realize now that even by winning the office of vice chairman, we would not have united leadership for the party," she wrote in a letter to committee members last week, according to The Intelligencer.

The shake-up comes at a time of transition for the suburban Philadelphia party, which remains powerful even if some voice increasing concerns that it is losing its competitive edge. It remains unclear what political fallout could ensue, though the possibilities are many. McIlhinney Putnam's son, state Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks), could have put his own political future in jeopardy by supporting his mother over the increasingly favored Poprik, a 59-year-old president of an underwriting firm. Fortunately for him, the 10th District senator does not face reelection this fall.

He took his mother's side, in part, because of allegations that Poprik has at times pressured her employees to contribute to the party, allegations dismissed by her supporters.

McIlhinney Putnam did not return multiple messages left at the party office this week, and Poprik declined to comment until after Saturday's vote. Fawkes and Sen. McIlhinney also could not be reached.

With McIlhinney Putnam off the ballot, though, Poprik can likely expect unanimous approval from the committee on Saturday. What happens next, especially as far as party unity is concerned, remains to be seen.