Washington, Safar 11, 1432, Jan 15, 2011, SPA -- Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele dropped his bid for re-election on Friday after it became clear he did not have enough support to win. Steele gave his support to former President Bush administration official Maria Cino after stepping down, and said “I will step aside because I think the party is ready for something different.” Steele, the Republican National Committee’s first African American leader, lead the Republican Party through the 2010 congressional elections, where Republicans won control of the House of Representatives and made gains in the Senate. However, Steele has left the Republican Party with as much as $20 million in debt and party leaders are looking for a replacement to fill the leadership position. --SPA 11:55 LOCAL TIME 08:55 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/855735