The chairman of Missouri Republican Party says he’s conducting a nationwide search for a new executive director.

Republican chairman Ed Martin said Wednesday that he’s already received resumes from people in Virginia and New Mexico and is looking for whoever is best suited to serve as party CEO — even if that person is from outside Missouri.

Lloyd Smith stepped down Tuesday after four years at the post. Smith wants to focus on his bid for Missouri’s 8th District seat in Congress.

Emerson has said she will resign within the next month to take a job as director of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.