RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The chairman of the Virginia Republican Party is announcing his resignation.

Pat Mullins said Wednesday he’s ready to retire and will resign from his current post when Republicans pick a new chairman next year.

Mullins’ announcement comes a day after Republicans had a strong showing on Election Day. Voters elected two new Republicans to the U.S. House and Senate candidate Ed Gillespie did better than expected in a too-close-to-call race against incumbent Sen. Mark Warner.

The 77-year-old Mullins says he is setting a meeting of the Republican Party State Central Committee for Jan. 31, 2015, to pick a successor.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.