Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Wayne L. Rogers said yesterday that he likely will not seek a second four-year term in office, giving the party an opportunity to regroup and refocus after last week's historic loss in the race for governor.

But even as possible successors to Rogers began angling for position, top Democrats concede that they're not sure how to fill the job.

Typically, the party chairman has been hand-picked by a governor or governor-elect to raise money and coordinate county organizations. The position has been low-profile by design, as Maryland's succession of Democratic governors have served as de facto leaders who have set a tone on policy and message.

But Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's defeat changed the playbook for how to pick a new leader, as well as the job description.

"We're in a situation we haven't been in 30-something years," said Montgomery County Councilman Isiah Leggett, a vice chairman of the state party. "Normally, there are some guidelines."

A chairman is expected to emerge through a compromise among elected officials, notably U.S. Sens. Paul S. Sarbanes and Barbara A. Mikulski.

But if would-be governors such as Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan try to install their own candidate in the job, observers say, the fight could get interesting.

And the responsibilities of the job could change, evolving into a more vocal messenger for a party that suddenly finds itself in the opposition as Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., a Republican, prepares to take office.

That's a model perfected by state GOP Chairman Michael S. Steele, now the lieutenant governor-elect.

Rogers, an Annapolis businessman who is a national political donor and friend of former Vice President Al Gore, said he could flourish in a more active role, but is leaning toward stepping down from a job he has held since 1999. He denied a report published this week in the Washington Times that elected officials were forcing him out.

"My inclination is not to run again. I haven't heard anyone saying they don't want me to run again," he said. "Not one person has intimated to me that the party was at fault in this election."

Rogers notes that Democrats picked up two seats in Maryland's congressional delegation, and kept control of both chambers of the General Assembly by wide margins.

"The money was there. The organization was there. We had other candidates win," he said. "We didn't win [for governor], but I don't think there's anything more that the party could have done."

Some say Rogers could have the job for another four-year term when Democrats meet in January to reorganize.

"I think reports of his demise are premature," said Rep. Albert R. Wynn of Prince George's County. "At this time, there's nobody I'd rather see in the job."

O'Malley called Rogers "an accessible and capable conciliator in a very dynamic and diverse state party."

Still, names of potential replacements are emerging.

Terry Lierman, a lobbyist and former congressional candidate from Montgomery County, says he is considering the job.

"I am amazed that in the last three days, the number of phone calls I've gotten from people at all levels urging me to be interested," Leirman said. "There's no doubt that a lot needs to be done with the Maryland Democratic Party."

Leggett, too, said he is pondering overtures made to him, adding that he turned down an opportunity to become Rogers' successor during discussions about four months ago.

"A number of people have asked me to consider it, and now I have a chance to go back and consider," Leggett said. Most recently, Leggett was chairman of the statewide coordinated campaign for the Democratic Party. He did not seek re-election as a councilman, but was under consideration as a running mate to Townsend.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said that despite her loss, Townsend will play a critical role in determining the next party chief.

"She is still in control of the party machinery," Miller said.

Some Democratic leaders say that Townsend might be interested in serving as chairman, although her campaign spokesman, Peter Hamm, said he had not heard of the idea.

Townsend was vacationing in Florida yesterday with her family and chief of staff Alan H. Fleischmann, and a call to Fleischmann was not returned.

If the position becomes an arena for the party's rising stars to assert their power, some officials said, the competing voices could grow loud. "If for some reason there is a vacancy, people beyond O'Malley and Duncan will have a say," said Wynn.

Party officials are expected to select a date in January to elect a chairman. The position is unpaid and is formally chosen by members of county Democratic central committees.