STATEMENT from Mike Duncan

December 17, 2010

“After careful deliberation, I have concluded that I will not seek the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.

“The 2012 political season will be the most vigorous in American history. 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. While I was able to devote the requisite time and energy to run the Committee during my 2007-2009 tenure, changes in my family, business and outside responsibilities make it impossible for me to devote the time needed to effectively lead the RNC over the next two years.

“The next chairman of the RNC faces tremendous challenges in lifting the committee out of debt, preparing for the next presidential nominee, and restoring the RNC to its place as the premier political organization in the United States. With the American Dream being destroyed by Barack Obama and the Democrats’ reckless economic policies and lack of leadership on the global stage, the stakes are so high that, to save America, we must change the leadership at the top of the committee.

“I greatly appreciate those RNC members who urged me to run – and I would not have considered entering the race without your encouragement. I also appreciate the elected officials, friends and complete strangers who contacted and encouraged me about the race.

“Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads, ‘To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.’ And while it is not the season for me to run for RNC chairman, I will continue in the mission to provide competent, conservative leadership for the Republican Party. I will continue my association with American Crossroads, and I look forward to independently complementing the efforts of the next RNC chairman.”