It took seven ballots, but front-runner Reince Priebus (pronounced “ryns pree-buhs”) finally won today’s election to chair the Republican National Committee. Priebus led on every ballot.

Still, Priebus faced major hurdles from the start, not least of which because of his proximity to Steele himself, who had become deeply unpopular on the committee. In 2009, Priebus was Steele’s closest advisor and biggest backer; Steele appointed Priebus general counsel after winning, and Priebus spent much of the next two years defending Steele and comforting upset members. Opponents used that connection to imply Priebus would run the committee like his predecessor, a charge Priebus spent much of his time denying.

Even when he served as Steele’s close advisor, Priebus was able to maintain good relations with the RNC membership. He enjoyed early support from both Steele allies and detractors, building a coalition that, once Steele dropped out, grew to become insurmountable. […]

Priebus also denied Steele the chance at another two years on the job. The once-close relationship has frayed since Priebus began contemplating a run for the top job, and Steele endorsed [Bush administration official Maria] Cino as he dropped out.

Priebus chaired the Wisconsin GOP during the latest election cycle, when the party made huge gains. Iowa’s Republican National Committeeman Steve Scheffler became an early Priebus endorser, later followed by Iowa Committeewoman Kim Lehman. Our state’s third RNC member, Iowa GOP Chair Matt Strawn, backed Gentry Collins, then switched to Saul Anuzis of Michigan after Collins ended his bid to replace Steele.

Political Correction posted background information on Priebus here.

House Speaker John Boehner had tried to drum up votes for Cino, who most recently has lobbied for a major pharmaceutical company. She had other influential Republican supporters, but on the final ballot got only 28 votes, to 97 for Priebus and 43 for Anuzis.