WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman is expected to step down at the end of the year, CNN reported in Washington Thursday.
Citing several Republican sources, CNN said Mehlman is all but certain to leave the post, and the White House is searching for a replacement.
Two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity told CNN Mehlman has told close associates he was likely to leave after the 2006 elections. They said there was no dissatisfaction with his performance in the midterm election, in which the Republicans lost control of both house of Congress.
A third source cautioned that no final decision has been made.
"It would be wrong to call it a done deal," the source told CNN.
Speculation about a possible replacement has included outgoing Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, who was defeated Tuesday in a bid to pick up an open U.S. Senate seat in Maryland. However, a source told CNN it was more likely that Steele would join the Bush administration in some other capacity -- possibly in the Cabinet after the first of the year, when some Cabinet members are expected to leave.
