RNC Chairman Michael Steele Drops Bid For Second Term

Michael Steele emerges from closed door meeting with supporters and heads to ballroom at Gaylord Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. Photo by David Chalian

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has ended his candidacy for a second term.

The embattled chairman leaves behind a committee with more than $20 million in debt, but also one with a winning record after historic election victories during his two year tenure.

After four rounds of balloting, Wisconsin GOP chair Reince Priebus was leading the pack with 58 votes followed by former Bush administration official Maria Cino with 29, Steele with 28, former Missouri GOP Chairwoman Ann Wagner with 28, and former Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis with 24.

To become RNC chairman, a candidate needs to secure 85 votes.

As soon as the fourth round results were announced, Chairman Steele told PBS NewsHour that he would absolutely remain a candidate on the ballot in the next round.

He then went behind closed doors with supporters and emerged to take the stage at the RNC winter meeting and withdraw from the competition.

He endorsed Maria Cino’s candidacy, and urged his supporters to also do so.

The fifth round of balloting is underway.