Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele will seek a second term, Fox News Channel reported Monday, ending speculation that he would step aside following a tenure that was marked by criticism from within his own party but which saw the biggest gains in Republican electoral history since 1938.
The decision was confirmed in a conference call to committee members.
Republicans picked up 63 House seats in last month’s elections, the biggest gain in more than seven decades, but Steele has faced criticism from within the party over his lackluster fundraising efforts, his comments on the war in Afghanistan and a scandal involving the committee’s reimbursement of a donor who took supporters to a Hollywood strip club.
Challengers for Steele’s position include Wisconsin Republican Chair Reince Priebus, former RNC co-chair Ann Wagner of Missouri, longtime Republican official Maria Cino, former Michigan Republican chairman Saul Anuzis and former RNC political director Gentry Collins.
Former US Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota has also been mentioned as a possible contender.
Steele has been RNC Chairman since January 2009. The 168 RNC members will vote to elect the next chairman at their winter meeting to be held January 12-15 in Washington, D.C.