Reince Priebus Re-Elected GOP National Chairman

By STEVE PEOPLES
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
Reince Priebus has been elected to lead the Republican National Committee for another two years.

The 40-year-old RNC chairman ran unopposed in his bid for a second term, which begins less than three months after what most Republicans consider a disastrous election cycle. The GOP in November lost a competitive presidential election and gave up seats in the House and Senate.

Maine national committeeman Mark Willis tried to challenge Priebus but could not muster the backing of three states needed to qualify for the ballot. All but two of the Republican National Committee’s 168 members _ both from Maine _ voted to reelect the chairman.

Despite the party’s struggles last fall, Priebus was widely praised for improving the RNC’s financial problems. In his acceptance speech, he called for sweeping changes in the GOP over the coming years, particularly the need to connect with the minority voters that helped propel President Barack Obama to a second term.