Republican Party of Florida Chairman Dave Bitner's decision to step down for health reasons was accepted with regret by party leaders. Now he wants them to ratify his choice for successor.

Bitner, who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) shortly after he assumed office last winter, announced Wednesday that he would step aside Sept. 23, during the party's Presidency 5 summit in Orlando.

The chairman recommended to members of the Republican Executive Committee that they elect Vice Chairman Lenny Curry to succeed him as chairman.

"He is 100 percent confident in Vice Chairman Curry as the right choice to be next chairman," RPOF spokesman Brian Hughes said.

Hughes said Bitner will work "side by side [with Curry] to ensure a smooth transition."

"He hopes the REC will support this," Hughes said, noting that most, if not all, executive committee members will be in Orlando for P5.

Chris Ingram, a Tampa-based Republican consultant, said a smooth transition is crucial for the party.

"My heart goes out to Dave and [wife] Wendy. He showed a lot of courage and brought real honor and dignity to the office -- something we needed following the Jim Greer fiasco. He's leaving the party in a good place," Ingram said.

Calls and e-mails of appreciation poured in on Wednesday.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said, “Over the past six months, Dave has made making Barack Obama a one-term president his central focus. Because of his leadership and hard work, Florida Republicans are unified and moving forward to ensure Republican victories up and down the ballot in 2012."

South Carolina GOP Chairman Chad Connelly issued a statement calling Bitner "a source of inspiration and strength for tens of thousands of Americans living with ALS, as well as countless members of the Republican Party who have personally witnessed his resilience. I am humbled to call him my friend."

Brian Graham, head of the consulting firm Dixie Strategies, said, "I admire Dave Bitner’s service to our state and courageous fight against Lou Gehrig's Disease. Whoever is Chairman’s Bitner’s successor will certainly have one of the most important tasks in a very long time; defeating Barack Obama."

Topping four rivals for RPOF chairman last winter, Bitner was widely credited with bridging the party's internal divisions.

"He has not only worked tirelessly to advance the mission of our party, but he has truly united us all," said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who called Bitner "a tremendous leader."

Hughes said Bitner knew "there was always going to be a day he would make a decision" on his tenure. "He promised leadership if anything interfered with his ability to do his job, he would move on," Hughes said.

After the political website Shark Tank posted an unconfirmed report that Bitner would be resigning, a letter from the chairman surfaced Wednesday afternoon. Addressed to "my fellow Republicans," Bitner's letter stated in part:

"Today, amid speculation about my current capacity to serve as your chairman, I wanted to update you. Whether out of malice or in the interest of political posturing, some who had been entrusted with my thoughts about the future shared that information with the media.

"Something I would never allow to happen on my watch is for the future of the RPOF to be called into question. So, today, after talking with my wife, my friends, and trusted advisers, I have decided to resign my position as chairman effective Friday, Sept. 23."

Bitner's letter went on to recommend Curry as his successor.

"Lenny is more than qualified to continue the work I have begun, and there is no need for the party to face a protracted race or divisive infighting," Bitner wrote.

Ingram agreed that "continuity of leadership is important" as the party gears up to host the Republican National Convention in Tampa next year.