Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Wyoming Republican National Committee woman Jan Larimer announced this week her bid for the number two spot within the Republican National Committee. Larimer is running for RNC co-chair. 

Larimer, a Jackson Hole resident, has served as the state’s committeewoman to the RNC since 1988, making her well-known on the 168-member committee. 

“I look forward to helping our party grow and win from the grassroots,“ Larimer said in a press release. 

Texas Republican Party Chairwoman Tina Benkiser is also seeking the co-chair position, although other candidates may emerge leading up to the Jan. 28 party elections, according to Matt Burns, a RNC insider assisting Larmier’s campaign.

“I think that Jan is definitely the most notable candidate to announce to date,” Burns said.

Sitting RNC co-chair Jo Ann Davidson, a former Ohio representative, will not seek reelection. 

The co-chair usually manages day-to-day operations for the RNC and acts as a spokesperson, but the role will ultimately be defined by the chairman, according Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. 

Sabato said the co-chair position would go to a woman because the six candidates running for the chairmanship are all men.

“Republicans have a terrible problem with women – they lose them every election,” Sabato said in a phone interview. 

Sabato said there is no clear frontrunner in the race for chairman, which is being followed by media and GOP watchers across the country. Some of the candidates have been criticized by GOP hardliners as being too centrist, while others are regarded as the kind of religious fundamentalists that have played a major role in polarizing the party.

“It’s a horse race,” Sabato said. PJH