AUGUSTA — As Republicans and their advocates ratchet up the pressure on MaineHousing Director Dale McCormick, two Democrats have withdrawn their support for a bill that would allow the quasi-governmental agency’s board of directors to fire her.

Reps. Paul Gilbert, D-Jay, and John Tuttle, D-Sanford, on Thursday removed their co-sponsorship of a bill that would align the accountability of the MaineHousing executive director with that of similarly structured agencies.

The proposal is sponsored by Sen. Jon Courtney, R-Springvale, who has issued a statement saying that he was disappointed that Gilbert and Tuttle didn’t “have the courtesy” to explain their decision.

Gilbert said Friday he didn’t realize the bill, LD 1778, would not grandfather McCormick, who was appointed by Gov. John Baldacci before he left office. He also noted that McCormick, a Democrat, has been the subject of criticism by State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin and Gov. Paul LePage’s newly appointed MaineHousing board of directors.

“After reading the bill a second time, I had second thoughts,” Gilbert said. “I realized it was going after (McCormick) and I wanted no part of the vendetta politics waged by the governor and his allies at the Maine Heritage Policy Center.”

“It’s the first time I’ve ever removed my name from a bill,” he said. “I regret that I didn’t have time to notify Sen. Courtney, but I really think they’re going after (McCormick) and I don’t want my name attached to that.”

While the governor’s appointees now control the agenda of the board, they do not have the authority to remove McCormick — a point frequently noted by Poliquin, McCormick’s most vociferous critic.

Democrats have described the scrutiny of McCormick and MaineHousing as a political witch hunt.

It’s been a tumultuous week for McCormick and her agency. Both have been under scrutiny by a conservative advocacy group, the Maine Heritage Policy Center. It released a report highlighting “disturbing” spending practices at MaineHousing, based on information the group obtained from the agency.

The agency has said the spending, which included conferences at high-end hotels and resorts, was designed for staff training. However, the report has mobilized some Republican lawmakers, who this week called on the Attorney General’s Office to investigate.

 [email protected]