Politics

Palin: I’m not interested in being RNC chairman

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
Font Size:

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she’s not interested in being chairman of the Republican National Committee.

She made the comments to ABC News after Judson Phillips, the leader of a Tennessee-based Tea Party group, penned a letter asking Palin to consider serving as the head of the GOP’s committee.

“I respect the desire to have someone in charge of the RNC who understands the wishes of the conservative grassroots and understands that power resides with the people and not the vested interests in DC,” Palin said. “However, the primary role of the RNC chair seems be that of fundraiser-in-chief, and there are others who would probably be much more comfortable asking people for money than I would be, and they would definitely enjoy it more.”

Current Chairman Michael Steele has not publicly said whether he’ll run for re-election. The 168 members of the committee will vote for a chairman in January.

Those who have announced their candidacies or have said they are considering running for chairman include: former Michigan GOP chairman Saul Anuzis; Wisconsin GOP chairman Reince Priebus; former RNC political director Gentry Collins; former RNC co-chairman Ann Wagner; former Bush administration official Maria Cino; former RNC chairman Mike Duncan; former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman and Connecticut GOP chairman Chris Healy.