Bridgeport Republicans ousted their party chairman Monday after he followed through on his expressed desire for bipartisanship.

Rick Torres, the GOP's mayoral candidate in 2003, was voted out of power at a Republican Town Committee attended by close to 50 members. Critics said they lost faith in Torres after he cross-endorsed Democrat Chris Caruso for this year's mayoral race.

"I'm trying to create an atmosphere for growth," Torres said.

Republican party members, who greatly surpassed the requisite 31 votes to remove Torres, said they "can't stand by and let him lower our ranks." One person voted in support of the embattled leader.

With Torres out, Vice Chairman Rob Russo will assume the role of acting chairman. That could be short-lived, as Torres said he plans to sue the committee because he did not break any bylaws.

"I think at the end of the day they choose to be a Republican first," Torres said. "I can't do that. I have to be a Bridgeporter first."