Thursday, December 1, 2016

NJ Gov. Christie Throws Hat Into Ring for RNC Chair


New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expressing interest in the job of Republican National Committee Chairman.

Christie told senior members of Trump's Presidential Transition team on Thursday morning that he is interested in the post, according to three sources familiar with the talks. One person said the Governor had embarked on an aggressive, “full-court press” in hopes of getting the Chairmanship.

Christie's prospects for a job in the Trump Administration have dimmed in recent weeks. Yet he has downplayed interest in a position, saying that he intends to serve out the remainder of his term as Governor, which expires in January 2018.

The Governor huddled with the President-Elect last month in New Jersey, where they discussed several possible still-vacant Cabinet posts, including Secretary of Homeland Security, according to one person briefed on the meeting. Christie, however, has told his aides he isn’t interested in the position.

Some Christie aides, however, believe that Christie, who formerly Chaired the Republican Governors Association and has relationships with many of the Party’s donors, would make a natural fit for the RNC.

Christie also has a gift for political combat, a skill needed for the Chairmanship. During a GOP Primary debate this year, he delivered a scorching attack on Florida Sen. Marco Rubio that left Christie’s rival badly damaged.

Reince Priebus, the current RNC Chair, is stepping down to take a job as Trump’s Chief of Staff. Jockeying for the Chairmanship has intensified in recent days as the President-Elect begins to consider how to fill out his political operation.

Yet there isn’t agreement on who should get the post. Steve Bannon, Trump’s Chief Strategist, and Rebekah Mercer, one of his top donors, have been encouraging consideration of Mercedes Schlapp, a former George W. Bush Administration official who has close ties to the Conservative movement. Yet Priebus, who will have a big say over who gets picked, is seen as favoring someone from the Party establishment, such as Michigan GOP Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel, who is Mitt Romney’s niece. Unlike Schlapp, McDaniel is a sitting RNC member.

Pence’s Political team, meanwhile, has been supportive of Nick Ayers, a Georgia-based operative who advised Pence during the Presidential Campaign. Ayers, a former Republican Governors Association (RGA) Executive Director, is currently helping the transition.

Once Trump makes his choice, that person must get final approval from the 168 members who comprise the National Committee. The vote is expected to take place in January, when the RNC meets for its Annual winter meeting.











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