But after Republicans won the closely watched gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey this month, Steele expressed frustration that he wasn’t receiving accolades for the party’s success, said the two Republicans, both of whom conveyed frustration with the chairman’s leadership style.

“So the reaction was: Get rid of the communications director,” carped one of the Republicans.

Curt Anderson, a close Steele adviser, denied that Francis was dismissed, calling the claim “silly.”

“That’s not true,” Anderson said. “It was a mutual thing.”