Mike Duncan (politician)
Mike Duncan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1951 Oneida, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Political figure, businessman |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Known for | Chairman of the Republican National Committee (2007–2009); Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority (2009–2010); Chairman of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors (2018–2021) |
Robert Michael Duncan (born 1951) is a prominent American political figure affiliated with the Republican Party, having led the Republican National Committee as its chairman from 2007 through 2009. His career spans significant leadership positions in both governmental and private arenas, including his tenure as chairman, president, and CEO of Inez Deposit Bank located in Inez, Kentucky, which later merged with First State Bank in February 2021. Additionally, Duncan was a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors and held the position of chairman from 2018 until 2021.
Early life and career
Originating from Oneida, Tennessee, Duncan has been engaged with numerous professional and nonprofit entities. He previously served as chairman of a state university and currently leads the board of trustees at Alice Lloyd College, a private liberal arts college situated in Pippa Passes, Kentucky. Furthermore, he chaired the Center for Rural Development based in Somerset, Kentucky, a regional facility with a $30 million budget dedicated to telecommunications, training, and economic development. In 2001, he received an appointment from President George W. Bush to join the President's Commission on White House Fellows.
Chairmanship of the Republican National Committee
A committed lifelong Republican, Duncan participated as a delegate at numerous Republican National Conventions between 1972 and 2008, contributing to all four permanent convention committees. He held the roles of treasurer and general counsel for the Republican National Committee (RNC) starting in July 2002 until his election as chairman. In January 2007, Duncan took over the RNC chairmanship from Ken Mehlman, maintaining this leadership until January 30, 2009, when he opted not to seek re-election.
RNC re-election campaign
- RNC chairman election results
Source: CQPolitics and Poll Pundit
| Candidate | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Steele | 46 | 48 | 51 | 60 | 79 | 91 |
| Katon Dawson | 28 | 29 | 34 | 62 | 69 | 77 |
| Saul Anuzis | 22 | 24 | 24 | 31 | 20 | Withdrew |
| Ken Blackwell | 20 | 19 | 15 | 15 | Withdrew | |
| Mike Duncan | 52 | 48 | 44 | Withdrew |
- Candidate won that round
- Candidate withdrew
- Candidate elected as RNC Chair
Leadership at the Tennessee Valley Authority
In March 2006, Duncan was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve on the Tennessee Valley Authority Board and received unanimous confirmation by the United States Senate. He was appointed as the TVA’s 15th chairman in May 2009 and held this position until May 2010, when banker Dennis C. Bottorff took over the role.
Governor of the United States Postal Service
He became a member of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service on September 13, 2018. The United States Senate later approved his appointment for a full term that was set to conclude in December 2025, with confirmation occurring on December 5, 2019. Due to health reasons, he stepped down in March 2025.
During the 2020 presidential election cycle, Duncan was involved in the appointment of Louis DeJoy as the U.S. postmaster general. Notably, DeJoy's selection did not follow the standard vetting procedures; neither of the two search firms engaged by the USPS board had identified him as a contender. After DeJoy assumed leadership, operational adjustments were introduced that led to mail delivery delays and sparked concerns regarding mail-in voting amid the pandemic-affected 2020 election.
Senate Leadership Fund
Duncan holds a position on the board of the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC associated with Mitch McConnell.
Other roles
He served as director at the Cleveland branch of the Federal Reserve Bank in Cincinnati. Between 1989 and 1991, during a sabbatical, Duncan worked within the Bush administration as assistant director of Public Liaison at the White House. Additionally, he was appointed to the President's Commission on White House Fellows in 2001 under President Bush’s tenure.
Education
Duncan earned academic credentials from both the University of the Cumberlands and the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Personal life
Duncan and his spouse, Joanne—both alumni of the University of Kentucky College of Law’s class of 1974—live in Inez, located in eastern Kentucky. They have one son, Rob, who serves as an assistant U.S. attorney based in Lexington, Kentucky. The couple are principal stakeholders in two community banks operating five branches throughout eastern Kentucky. Their son, Robert M. Duncan Jr., has held the position of United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky since 2017.
On September 10, 2012, Duncan was named president and CEO of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), where he directed advocacy efforts focused on clean coal technology and energy policy initiatives.