WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack Monday quit the race for chairman of the Democratic National Committee, a senior Democratic source said.
Although he had been tabbed as a frontrunner for the job, Vilsack dropped out of the crowded field of potential successors to current national chairman Terry McAuliffe, the source said.
The Hotline, a Washington political publication, released a survey of 155 DNC members indicating Vilsack would beat former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean if the race boiled down to just the two of them.
Asked whether they would be "more inclined" to support Vilsack or Dean, 54 chose the Iowa governor, 49 chose Dean and 46 gave other responses.
Other names still mentioned for the post include Dean; outgoing U.S. Rep. Martin Frost, D-Texas; former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb; former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen; and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman.
