Friday, January 25, 2013
1:02 PM
Priebus, former Wisconsin state chair, re-elected head of RNC
Reince Priebus was re-elected today to his post as chairman of the Republican National Committee.
The former Wisconsin GOP chair was unopposed after Mark Willis of Maine tried to challenge him, but could not muster the needed backing of three states to get on the ballot.
Priebus was first elected to the post two years ago, deposing former Chair Michael Steele. Priebus originally helped Steele win the post, but challenged him amid complaints from many party faithful that Steele had mismanaged the party's finances.
Gov. Scott Walker congratulated Priebus for assuming "the responsibility of coalescing Republicans and moving our party forward with one, unified voice" amid a time of uncertainty.
"He brought the party out of debt, secured a significant surplus and has helped secure a brighter future for all Republicans," Walker said.
State GOP Chair Brad Courtney credited Priebus with putting the RNC back on track.
"His leadership is, without question, a major reason for the successes of the Party over the last two years and his bold style of management will lead us to further success in the years to come,” Courtney said.
Priebus locked up support from the vast majority of RNC members ahead of the election despite complaints about the GOP's performance in the November elections, when they fell short of winning the White House and lost seats in both the House and Senate.
State Dem Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski tweaked Priebus on Twitter hoping "may he enjoy more of the kind of success we saw in November!"
Read Priebus' speech to the RNC.
UPDATE: Read an op-ed by Priebus on the future of the Republican Party
-- By JR Ross
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