Politics

RNC chairman race narrows; Conn. chairman, Chris Healy, says he will not run

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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The list of potential candidates to take over the Republican National Committee continues to narrow, as Connecticut GOP chairman Chris Healy now says he will not run.

Instead, Healy told FrumForum’s Tim Mak that he will support former RNC political director Gentry Collins.

“I think we’re at a critical stage in the health and vitality of our party, and we have many tough tasks ahead to get ahead to beat Barack Obama,” Healy said.

He didn’t hide his criticism of Steele, who he said was “an exceptionally poor manager of resources and an exceptionally poor fundraiser.”

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.

Collins left the RNC last month after writing a letter warning of the committee’s financial troubles. He also argued that more races could have been won this year had that not been the case. He is not officially a candidate, but says he’s exploring a run.

Others 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 co-chairman Ann Wagner; former Bush administration official Maria Cino and former RNC chairman Mike Duncan.

Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman has said he won’t run if Steele does, but has signaled interest in the job if that doesn’t happen.