Mike Duncan Won't Run Again for RNC Chair

One term as chairman of the Republican National Committee was apparently enough for Mike Duncan, who announced Friday he would not seek to unseat Michael Steele.

Duncan said family responsibilities and his duties as head of the outside political group American Crossroads would make "it impossible for me to devote the time needed to effectively lead the RNC."

"The next RNC chairman must be available seven days a week to raise nearly one million dollars each deposit day – to fund party programs necessary to win back the White House, elect a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, retain Republican control of the U.S. House, and conduct a successful decennial redistricting," Duncan said in a statement.

The head of the RNC's Kentucky delegation, Duncan said he'd been asked to run by a number of friends and party officials. He previously chaired the RNC from 2007 to 2009.

Duncan did not mention the embattled current chairman, Michael Steele. But Duncan made it clear that he won't be backing the incumbent, saying, "The stakes are so high that, to save America, we must change the leadership at the top of the committee."

Earlier this week, Steele announced his intentions to seek a second term, despite complaints about his fund-raising shortcomings, alleged mismanagement of the national committee and embarrassing off-the-cuff remarks.

With Duncan out of the picture, that leaves five candidates lined up to take on Steele: former Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis; Wisconsin GOP Chair Reince Priebus; Gentry Collins, the ex-political director of the RNC; Ann Wagner, the former RNC co-chairwoman; and Maria Cino, who was CEO of the 2008 Republican Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

The election for RNC chairman will take place in Washington in early January.