Democratic National Committee Chairman Gov. Howard Dean ’71 is expected to step down from his post after his four-year term concludes in January. Dean was the architect of the controversial “50-State Strategy” — a plan to fund and staff Democratic candidates to elected office in races across the country, even ones that were not likely to swing to Democrats — which put him at odds with then–Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Rep. Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel, who was tapped to be President-elect Barack Obama’s chief of staff last week, thought the DNC should invest its money only in races it could win. Under Dean’s tenure, Democrats regained control of Congress in 2006 and took control of even more seats and the presidency in 2008. Obama is to follow tradition and appoint Dean’s successor.

—The Associated Press contributed reporting.