HONOLULU -- Hawaii Democratic Party Chairman Brian Schatz announced on Friday his plan to step down from his position.

Schatz was elected party chairman in May 2008. The former state House member is expected to run for lieutenant governor.

The race for lieutenant governor already has a number of Democrats running, including: Sens. Gary Hooser, Robert Bunda, Norman Sakamoto and Reps. Lyla Berg and Jon Riki Karamatsu.

The party will select an interim chairperson until an election at the state convention in May.

Schatz had organized the campaign for President Barack Obama in 2006 and was the Hawaii spokesman.