Former state Senate President Richard Bennett of Oxford is hoping to be the next Republican National Committeeman.

Current committeeman Peter Cianchette resigned his post today, after being confirmed as the next U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica.

Bennett announced his candidacy for the position in an e-mail to party members, dated today, which was passed on to PolitickerME.com by a source.

“We are in a time of enormous challenge for the Republican Party - in Maine and nationally. Despite setbacks in the last election, we have an opportunity to renew our party and lead our state and our country. I believe this requires steady, determined effort that starts with encouraging the best people among us to run for office, carry our message, and provide leadership, This in turn demands that we raise sufficient money and build a supportive organization,” he wrote.

He said he would like to follow in Cianchette’s footsteps by connecting the state party to national Republican organizations, and making sure resources are available for Republicans to win elections.

He said his 24 years in politics have prepared him for the job.

“I have learned from both victories and setbacks,” he writes. “I have a record of accomplishment in recruiting candidates, building organization and raising money. When I was leading the Senate Republican effort, I insisted on competing with a qualified Republican candidate in every district in Maine. We accomplished that. We also supported our candidates by raising more money than ever before.”