NORTH CAROLINA -- North Carolina’s Mark Meadows is out of the running to be the president’s new chief of staff.

• Meadows, who was considered one of the top contenders for the post, is one of the president’s most ardent supporters and defenders.
• Meadows went on to say that he will offer his “total support” to whomever the president ultimately picks.
• It is still not clear who the president will pick for the spot.

The president spoke with the Republican congressman Wednesday, according to Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.

“The President told him we need him in Congress so he can continue the great work he is doing there,” she said.

Meadows, who was considered one of the top contenders for the post, is one of the president’s most ardent supporters and defenders, routinely criticizing the Russia investigation. He is also leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

In a statement, Meadows said: “I’ve had the best job in the world, representing the people of western North Carolina and working alongside President Trump these last two years to give the forgotten men and women of America a voice in their government. I’m fully committed to continuing in both of those roles.”

Meadows went on to say that he will offer his “total support” to whomever the president ultimately picks.

The Chief of Staff job is a prime position in Washington, but could have come with some risk for Meadows, according to Mark Rom, an associate professor with Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.

“Being his Chief of Staff is also the highway to hell,” Rom said. “It’s hard to imagine him coming out of there with his reputation enhanced, and it’s hard to see how he’s going to use that to advance his political career.”

It is still not clear who the president will pick for the spot. An announcement is expected sometime by the end of the year when the current chief, John Kelly, is set to step down.