WASHINGTON — Lawrence Summers, who was considered the leading candidate to succeed Ben Bernanke as Federal Reserve chairman, has withdrawn from consideration, the White House said Sunday.
Summers’ withdrawal follows growing resistance from critics, including some members of the Senate committee that would need to approve his nomination. His exit could open the door for his leading rival for the post, Janet Yellen, the Fed’s vice chair. If chosen by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate, Yellen would become the first woman to lead the Fed.
In a statement, Obama said he had accepted Summers’ decision.
“Larry was a critical member of my team as we faced down the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and it was in no small part because of his expertise, wisdom and leadership that we wrestled the economy back to growth and made the kind of progress we are seeing today,” Obama said.
As director of the National Economic Council, Summers oversaw the administration’s response to the economic and financial crisis early in Obama’s first term.
