Coleman drops out of GOP leadership race

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., has dropped his bid to be the next chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a spokesman said.

With Coleman stepping aside, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas is set to become the next committee's next chairman, The Hill reported.

"Norm is one of the hardest-working and (most) well-liked members of the Republican Conference," Cornyn said. "He has been a tireless advocate for his constituents in Minnesota and I will continue to do whatever I can to help ensure his return to the Senate next year."

The NRSC chairman can recruit GOP candidates and determine whose campaigns to bankroll.

Coleman ran for the NRSC chairmanship in 2004, losing to Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina. He expressed interest in the position for the coming Congress, but is locked in a recount in his re-election bid against Democratic challenger Al Franken.

"Senator Coleman chose to step back to focus his efforts on the recount, but he gives his full and complete support to Senator Cornyn," a Coleman spokesman said.

Coleman's decision clears the way for party leadership elections Tuesday, the Hill said.