2011 Republican National Committee chairmanship election


The 2011 Republican National Committee chairmanship election was held on January 14, 2011, to determine the next chairman of the RNC, to serve a two-year term ending in 2013 and will lead the party through the 2012 general elections. After seven rounds of balloting, Reince Priebus was elected chairman over incumbent chair Michael Steele, Saul Anuzis, Ann Wagner and Maria Cino.
Priebus won re-election with near unanimity in the party's 2013 meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was likewise re-elected to a third term in 2015, setting him up to become the longest serving head of the party ever.

Candidates

;Former candidates who withdrew before voting began
A debate among the candidates hosted by Americans for Tax Reform took place on January 3, 2011 at the National Press Club. Anuzis, Cino, Priebus, Steele, and Wagner participated in the debate.
A poll by the National Journal, released on January 13, 2011, showed Priebus in the lead with 40 committed votes out of 168, Steele 17, Wagner 15, Anuzis 14, and Cino 12.

Results

With 168 voting members of the RNC, 85 votes were required to win the chairmanship.