Coleman won't run for RNC chair if Steele does

Former Sen. Norm Coleman says he won't run for the RNC chairmanship if Michael Steele runs for another term.

November 24, 2010 at 3:59PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Former Sen. Norm Coleman may have finally put an end to the endless rumor mill about him seeking the Republican National Committee chairman job.

Coleman told the Daily Caller that if current chairman Michele Steele runs again, Coleman will not challenge him.

"If he's in, then I'm out," Coleman said.

Steele, who has been criticized recently for his performance by numerous prominent Republicans, including his former political director Gentry Collins and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, has not publicly said whether he will seek another term at the helm of the RNC.

Coleman, currently CEO of the right-leaning American Action Network, did leave himself a window open for the top RNC job, declining to state what he'd do should Steele elect not to run.

"I'm not in a position to speculate what-if-he-doesn't," Coleman said. "At that point, it becomes speculation."

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