State GOP Chair Susan Hutchison Stepping Down

SEATTLE, WA - With key mid-term elections in 2018 for state GOP candidates, longtime state Republican Party chairwoman Susan Hutchison announced Tuesday she will step down in early February.

Hutchison was first elected chair in 2012, and in 2016 was a Donald Trump supporter. She was criticized in October 2016 for comments she made about the Trump Access Hollywood tape. She said Trump was a Democrat when the tape was made and was "channeling Bill Clinton."

Perhaps the biggest challenge in 2018 for the state GOP will be holding U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert's seat. Former gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi is running to replace Reichert, but at least five Democrats have announced they're running for Reichert's seat.

Hutchison still predicted victory for state Republicans in 2018 without her at the helm.

"The WSRP is in a robust financial position with a bright future. I expect that 2018 will result in many exciting wins for the GOP in our state—among them, Dino Rossi will hold the 8th Congressional seat, the Republicans will move into leadership in the State House of Representatives by flipping at least one seat, and there might even be some surprises in the State Senate," she said in an email to supporters.

Her last day will be Feb. 4. A new chair will be elected on Jan. 20 at the state committee meeting in Moses Lake.

Caption: Washington State Republican Party chairman Susan Hutchison, center, speaks with media members against a new city income tax on the wealthy that was approved earlier at a Seattle City Council meeting as demonstrators holding signs in favor protest behind Monday, July 10, 2017, in Seattle.

Photo by Elaine Thompson/Associated Press