State GOP Chairman May Seek National Post

SACRAMENTO — California Republican Party Chairman John Herrington said Friday that he is thinking seriously about running for chairman of the Republican National Committee and will make a decision in the next few days.

“I am being urged by a number of Republicans from the Reagan Administration days and since to run for chairman. I am thinking very seriously about it and hope to come to a decision over the weekend. I am interested,” Herrington said.

The 165 members of the Republican National Committee--three from each state and U.S. territory--will meet Jan. 17-19 to choose a successor to Haley Barbour, former executive director of the Mississippi Republican Party, who has announced that he will not seek a third two-year term as national chairman.

Herrington, 56, was elected state GOP chairman 2 1/2 years ago and has been credited with maintaining relative harmony between long-feuding moderate and conservative factions of the state party and reinvigorating its fund-raising efforts.

Herrington, a Walnut Creek attorney, served in Ronald Reagan’s administrations when he was governor and president, including the posts of White House personnel director and energy secretary.