RNC voting for chair—Cino ahead of Anuzis
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 2:15PM Breaking News
The Republican National Committee is voting for party chair, and the first round brought a surprise or two. For one thing, Maria Cino came in ahead of Saul Anuzis and Ann Wagner. The committee is meeting at Gaylord National Resort Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland.
Reince Priebus got the most votes—he’s chair of the Wisconsin Republican Party.
Many thought Anuzis would do better because he’s popular with the base. He also has brand recognition because he ran for chair in 2009 and he’s done guest stints on talk shows.
Vote tally for each candidate, first round:
Reince Priebus—45
Michael Steele—44
Maria Cino—32
Saul Anuzis—24
Ann Wagner—23
In January, 2009, Steele won the chairmanship in the 6th round of voting.
It’s likely a candidate or two will drop out after this first round and throw support to remaining candidates.
The new chair faces a challenge in existing debt and fundraising to cover that debt as well as to fund upcoming campaigns.
A second round of voting is in progress.
Kay B. Day, Editor
Second round votes have been tallied. *Third round votes have been tallied (3:10 p.m. posting this). Obviously the drop-outs will make the difference.
Priebus—52 (2nd round); 54 (3rd round)
Steele—37 (2nd); 33 (3rd)
Cino—30 (2nd); 28 (3rd)
Wagner—27 (2nd); 32 (3rd)
Anuzis—22 (2nd); 21 (3rd)
Members are taking a break right now so it's likely various factions are lobbying for their candidate's support. It's hard to tell what will happen this afternoon, but if Steele bows out, that's a big block of votes. Steele supporters could effectively push a candidate from the bottom to the top. Everyone knows Priebus and Steele have ties, though, so perhaps Steele's supporters will swing to Priebus.
Politico said 85 votes are needed to win the RNC chairmanship.
Kay B. Day, Editor
I'm going to stay with this as long as possible but if the rounds keep going, I'll have to announce the victor once the deal is done.
Fourth round votes:
*168 votes cast; one ineligible vote for a person not nominated
Priebus--58
Cino--29
Steele--28
Wagner--28
Anuzis--24
Kay B. Day, Editor
Michael Steele has conceded. He endorsed Cino. We're waiting on 5th round results now.
*One person voted for an ineligible person again.
5th round votes:
Priebus--67
Cino--40
Anuzis--32
Wagner--28
Kay B. Day, Editor
Reince Priebus was elected chair of the Republican National Committee after members cast 97 votes for him in the final round of voting.
Saul Anuzis came in second with 43 votes.
Congratulations to Chairman Priebus.
Gratitudes to former chair Michael Steele--we'll have a wrapup column next week offering him a proper thank you.
And now I am out of the office for the weekend!