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Republicans elect
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Republicans elect first African-American
as national chairman
Political InsiderThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia GOP chairman Sue Everhart just called to say that Michael Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, was just elected chairman by the Republican National Committee with 91 votes.
Steele is the first African-American to hold the job, which will be to counter the policies of Barack Obama, the first black president.
On the sixth round of voting, Steele defeated Katon Dawson, chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. Incumbent RNC chairman Mike Duncan withdrew after the third ballot.
“As a little boy growing up in this town, this is awesome,” said Steele, the most moderate candidate in the field and considered an outsider because he’s not a committee member.
In a brief acceptance speech, the new GOP chairman struck a tone of inclusiveness.
“We’re going to say to friend and foe alike: We want you to be a part of us, we want you to with be with us, and for those who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over,” Steele said, according to the Associated Press.
Everhart was somewhat relieved. She announced Thursday that she would back Steele over Duncan, who was the favorite of many in the GOP establishment.
“I’m very excited that myself and the grassroots backed the winner,” Everhart said. In essence, she had asked Georgia GOP activists permission to back Steele in an e-mail. Three quarters of respondents told the party chairman to proceed.
The Georgia chairman said Steele has already committed to appearing at the party’s state convention in Savannah in May. “But I’ll get him here sooner,” Everhart said.
Expect to see a lot of the new chairman here come the 2010 elections, when Steele’s presence is likely to be used to dampen Democratic attempts to tap African-American enthusiasm for Obama in the race for governor.
Steele was in Georgia two weeks ago, for a state Capitol ceremony honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Steele was also aided by Randy Evans, an Atlanta attorney and confidant of Newt Gingrich.
Rufus Montgomery, a member of the state GOP executive committee and an African-American, was also up in D.C. for the election. He said Steele’s election represented an opening up of the party to new ideas — and new people.
Montgomery said the early withdrawal of Duncan surprised many, but that once the third remaining candidate — Saul Anuzis, chairman of the Michigan GOP — withdrew, the race was over. “The folks that voted for him voted for change,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery credited Everhart, the Georgia chairman, who took a chance on Steele. “Sue was right. She delivered some votes for him, working the floor,” Montgomery said.
Photo by Kimberly Smith/AJC: Christine King Farris, left, sister of Martin Luther King, Jr., talks with Michael Steele, following a January ceremony at the state Capitol.
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