Kentucky-native Mike Duncan is wrapping up his first term as the chairman of the Republican National Committee after an election in which Republicans took losses in the House and Senate in addition to losing the White House. Around the country, speculation is whirling about potential candidates for the chair position even though Duncan has yet to make an announcement as to whether he intends to seek a second term.

Yesterday, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele announced his candidacy for the RNC chairmanship, which is to be awarded in a January election. Several others are said to be considering a run along with Duncan.

In his home state, there is not surprisingly a considerable amount of support for Duncan - including the two other voting members of the RNC from Kentucky - though there appear to be some fractures among others.

A Courier-Journal report published earlier this week found U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville) suggesting the RNC needed to look elsewhere for leadership.

"He's a fine fellow and everything, but I think we've got to move in a new direction," Whitfield said of Duncan.
Republican Party of Kentucky chair Steve Robertson, however, said he is solidly in Duncan's corner should the Inez resident decide to seek another term.

"First and foremost, my loyalty is to Mike Duncan," Robertson told PolitickerKY.com. "He's done a great job in a tough environment at the RNC. He's a hands-on chairman which is very similar to the way I operate at the Republican Party of Kentucky."

"If he wants to have a second term, he should," added Robertson.

Kentucky's RNC National committeewoman Gail Russell and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Somerset) also have publicly announced support for Duncan, should he run again.
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell's office released a statement generally praising Duncan.

"Senator McConnell believes that Chairman Duncan is an intelligent, experienced man and did an excellent job as RNC Chair this year. He looks forward to working closely with Mike in the months and years ahead as they both work to serve Kentucky and their Party," read a statement sent to the Courier-Journal.

For his part, Michael Steele, Maryland's lieutenant governor, has been in high-profile positions among national Republicans and even in Kentucky. The newly-minted RNC candidate spoke in prime time at the Republican National Committee and chairs GOPAC, a Republican candidate recruitment organization.

In that role, Steele visited Kentucky earlier this year to raise funds for 3rd Congressional District candidate Anne Northup (R-Louisville).

The RNC chair is usually appointed by a Republican president - if one is in office - or elected by the RNC membership. According to the Republican Party's published rules, that membership consists of each state's RNC committeeman, committeewoman, and state party chair.

Duncan is Kentucky's RNC committeeman.