MASSDEVELOPMENT WAS PREPARING to name a new CEO on Thursday, but now officials say the candidate has withdrawn her name from consideration.

State officials say Barbara Kroncke, a partner at McCarter & English in Boston, decided to withdraw her name to deal with illness in her family. Kroncke, a financial backer of Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, and the state Republican Party, made her decision in the last few days.

The board of MassDevelopment, a high-profile agency with a growing portfolio of development projects across the state and in Gateway Cities, voted 8-3 on April 13 not to renew the contract of the current CEO, Marty Jones. No explanation for the change in leadership at MassDevelopment was given. Jones, who currently earns $238,000 a year, was originally appointed CEO in April 2011, during the administration of former governor Deval Patrick.

The board appointed a CEO search committee, but it was unclear how much work the members had done because it was widely assumed that Kroncke was taking over. The search is now likely to begin in earnest, although one source said it was possible Jones could be asked to stay on for a period of time.

Since 2010, Kroncke has donated $2,500 to Polito, $2,000 to Baker, and $10,000 to the state Republican Party.

Baker administration officials confirmed the last-minute change in plans but declined further comment. Jones and Kroncke declined comment, as did the head of the MassDevelopment search committee.