Rising GOP Star Steele Struggles to Pick Race to Run

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Byline: S.A. Miller, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele is considered the Republican Party's best hope for capturing the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Paul S. Sarbanes - and he also is a coveted running mate for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

But Mr. Steele can't run for both jobs.

The choice may be a personal crossroad for Mr. Steele, 46. And his decision could present a problem for the state's Republican Party, which has struggled for relevance for more than 30 years and has few viable candidates now that two statewide offices are within reach, party insiders and political pundits say.

Party officials privately concede that …