General Counsel for GOP National Committee Resigns

The general counsel for the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus, resigned Sunday morning, National Journal reported on its website. His resignation appears to be a sign that the chairman of the committee, Michael Steele, will be facing more competition for his job if he seeks re-election.

"In a private letter to Chairman Steele, I did resign today as general counsel," Priebus said in an e-mail to National Journal. "I appreciated the opportunity to work with all of the members that make the RNC so special."

Priebus, who is also the chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party, had been one of Steele's closest allies and had backed Steele's bid for the chairmanship in 2009. But last month Priebus indicated that he was considering a bid for the chairmanship of the RNC.

"I've been asked to seriously consider it by many members of the committee and I am doing just that," Priebus told The Washington Post last month. "There are many factors that go into this decision and I will be taking the time over Thanksgiving to discuss this further with my family and others."

Priebus has not announced yet whether he will seek the national chairmanship, but his resignation seems to indicate that is a good possibility. Among his supporters are former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and the chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Pat Brady.

The field of challengers for Steele is likely to be large. Saul Anuzis, the former Michigan Republican chairman, and Ann Wanger, former RNC co-chair, have announced that they will seek the chairmanship. Also mentioned as potential candidates are Gentry Collins, former RNC political director; Maria Cino, a former Bush administration official; and Mike Duncan, a former RNC chairman. Former Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota said he would not run against Steele but has not said whether he would run if Steele did not seek re-election.

Steel has yet to announce whether he will seek a second term.