Winsley Abandons Race for GOP Chairman, Endorses Labriola. Party Awaits Word from Healy.

Wayne Winsley’s bid to become the Republican state party leader ended 10 days after it began. Winsley, who knows how to deliver a dynamic speech, withdrew by issuing a rambling written statement Sunday afternoon. In it, Winsley repeated the reasons he made the race and the need for change and then endorsed incumbent Jerry Labriola.

Winsley is thought to have had only a couple of votes in the contest. His withdrawal comes as Republican insiders await an announcement by former chairman Christopher Healy on his intentions. Healy is thought to have a formidable chunk of loyal supporters, though they likely fall short of a majority. He would need to pick up votes from the swath of floating state central committee members who see Labriola as untrustworthy and feeble.

State Democrats will cheer a Labriola victory.