Michael Steele Expected to Bow Out of RNC Race

Michael Steele will announce tonight whether he plans to run for reelection as RNC chair—and it’s looking unlikely. Steele doesn’t appear to have a reelection team in place. Still, he’s been unpredictable in the past, Politico notes. He sent out a message this weekend advising committee members of a conference call at 7:30pm tonight; the email’s tone suggested he wouldn’t run, according to three Steele critics who got the email.

If he planned to run, he probably would have spoken to RNCers individually rather than via conference call, write Mike Allen and Jonathan Martin. Steele has had a troubled stint as chairman, having faced difficulty raising funds and taking heat for gaffes. Competition for the spot is tight: Contenders include Wisconsin Republican Chairman Reince Priebus, former RNC co-chair Ann Wagner, and party official Maria Cino.
(More Michael Steele stories.)