The Illinois GOP county chairman who compared a female House candidate to a “street walker” resigned Thursday from his position, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Jim Allen, the Montgomery County Republican chairman, wrote in an email that former Miss America and Republican Erika Harold “is being used like a street walker” and compared her aides to “pimps.” That email was subsequently published on a conservative blog.

Harold is challenging Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., in the 13th District primary. Davis called on Allen to resign in a phone news conference on Thursday.

Harold’s primary challenge has irritated many local Republicans. They believe it could hurt their chances of holding on to the competitive district in 2014.

National Democrats are touting their recruit for the seat, former judge Ann Callis, to run against the GOP nominee.

Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call rates this race as Tossup/Tilt Republican.