In an email to Republican National Committee members today, Inez native Mike Duncan announced he would seek a second term as RNC chair. Duncan's campaign rolled out a campaign Web site and ten-minute campaign video as part of his entry into a crowded field of candidates courting 168 voting members of the RNC. Three of those votes seem to be locked up already, however, as Kentucky's voting RNC members announced their intention to support Duncan's re-election bid even before his intentions to seek another term were official.

In the video posted on Duncan's campaign Web site - located at MikeforChairman.com - Duncan pitches the positives of his time at the helm at the RNC since elected in January of 2007.

Duncan argues speculation of "gloom and doom" for Republicans in 2008 was "very wrong," saying Republicans raised "record amounts of money" and "exceeded all expectations" at their national convention.

"We accomplished these record setting achievements in spite of one of the most difficult political environments our party has ever faced," added Duncan.

While noting he shared the "disappointment" of Republicans with regard to the Presidential election, Duncan said the party was already rebounding.

"What really matters to all of us is winning elections and I'm happy to report that already we have good reason for optimism in the 2010 election cycle," said Duncan in the video. "In our first test since the presidential election, the Republican National Committee played a key role in the Georgia victory of Senator Saxby Chambliss."

In Georgia, the RNC contributed "money, technology, and manpower," according to Duncan.

Duncan also cited Republican wins in two Louisiana Congressional run-offs.

"It's clear Republicans still know how to win elections," said Duncan.

The current chair said he would be revealing a ten-point plan to improve the party, but suggested the party had already undertaken "three important steps."

First, the RNC was challenging the McCain-Feingold Bipartisan campaign reform act of 2002 in court for what Duncan said were restrictions that "infringe on the core of the first amendment."

Duncan also said the RNC was working to create an "effective and accessible Speakers' Bureau" and a program called "Partnership 2010" that would coordinate the national party's work with state parties and dispatch "trained political staff" to each state.

Duncan also framed himself as someone who appreciated the "nuts and bolts" and "behind the scenes " nature of work as a national party chair.

"Probably more than most I enjoy those tasks and I take pride in achieving the fruits of those labors," said Duncan.

His campaign Web site also includes links to a variety of social networking sites and a blog tracking Duncan's activities.

A slew of opponents are in the race to unseat Duncan as RNC chair, including former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, South Carolina GOP Chair Katon Dawson, Michigan Party Chair Saul Anuzis, former Tennessee Party Chair and Mike Huckabee's Presidential campaign manager Chip Saltsman, and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell.

Regardless, Duncan likely does not have to worry about at least three votes. Kentucky's Republican Party Chair Steve Robertson told PolitickerKY.com last month that he would support Duncan.

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

Kentucky's RNC committeewoman, Gail Russell, also has indicated her vote would go to Duncan.

The state's other vote - that of its RNC Committeeman - is Duncan himself.

The 168 voting members of the Republican National Committee are comprised of the party chair, and RNC committeeman and committeewoman from
each state, as well as those from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The election for the chair position will occur at the RNC's winter meeting in Washington, held Jan. 28 to Jan. 31 of next year.