AUGUSTA – Four months after his election as chairman of the Maine Republican Party, former five-term legislator Joe Bruno of Raymond said Sunday he is stepping down.

The party’s vice chairman, Mark Ellis of Augusta, will assume the top job.

Bruno, employed as vice president of the Waldron Group of Falmouth and Community Pharmacies of Augusta, said time commitments prompted him to relinquish his post in the party organization.

“It’s a full-time volunteer position, and I just didn’t have the time to devote 50 hours a week to do what needs to get done,” he said.

Ellis, corporate director of information technology with Douglas Dynamics LLC in Milwaukee, is beginning his second stint as party chairman.

He was elected vice chairman in 2004 and was elevated to the top job a year later when Randy Bumps was named to a post with the Republican National Committee.

Ellis said he was saddened by Bruno’s decision, but understood the reasons behind it.

“Joe has given 110 percent to the party since he was elected four months ago, and he leaves the party in a stronger position,” Ellis said.