Former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan could wait until mid-December before announcing whether he’ll mount a campaign to regain his old job, The Daily Caller has learned.
A source says Duncan, as he weighs a run for RNC chairman, is considering his wife’s health, what will happen to his Inez, Ky. bank and what other candidates enter the race. Duncan declined to comment for this story.
Earlier this month, TheDC reported that Duncan, who lost re-election to current Chairman Michael Steele in 2009, has been encouraged by committee members to run amidst complaints about Steele’s leadership over the committee and concerns about the RNC’s finances.
Duncan, the source says, has not yet begun making calls to committee members soliciting support. The Kentuckian is waiting to see how the race shapes up, and specifically whether Steele runs for re-election. Steele not running would almost certainly cause an influx of people to run.
Duncan, the source says, would be persuaded not to run if a consensus candidate — like Jeb Bush or Haley Barbour — ran, though both have suggested they aren’t interested in the job.
The only candidate to publicly announce he’s running is national committeeman and former Michigan GOP state chair Saul Anuzis.
The long list of those thinking of running, or mentioned as possible candidates, also includes: former Bush administration official Maria Cino; Wisconsin GOP chairman Reince Priebus; Mississippi GOP committeeman Henry Barbour; former Steele aide Gentry Collins; former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman; RGA executive director Nick Ayers; Connecticut GOP chairman Chris Healy and California GOP chairman Ron Nehring.
This story is part of The Daily Caller’s new series taking a look at possible candidates for RNC chairman. See our past features on Maria Cino and Saul Anuzis.