I have mixed feelings on this. In all fairness, she is a qualified communications person. Her entire resume is based upon communications.
I understand that for her to run for County Executive, she had to surrender her legislative seat. I also understand that Poloncarz was a difficult opponent: he was well-funded and popular. Finding someone to oppose him was not a simple task. I'm sure she insisted on some sort of bargain to cover herself in case she lost.
It's easy for those on this board to play "Monday Morning QB" and insist that a bargain should not have been made. Asking someone to run against a strong opponent, with no "safety net" of sorts, is a losing battle for a party chairman.
This is the cost of doing business in the political environment in which we now reside. You don't like it - run for Republican chair this year. (Or Democratic chair, it happens on both sides.)