Rep. Ryan says Priebus is 'front-runner' in RNC race
By Sean J. Miller - 01/05/11 03:00 PM ET

Rep. Paul Ryan has been vigorously working the phones on behalf of Wisconsin GOP Chairman Reince Priebus' bid for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.

Ryan called Priebus the "front-runner" in the five-person field vying to the lead the party through the 2012 campaign cycle.

"I've talked to a decent amount of folks, probably a dozen or so," the Wisconsin Republican told The Ballot Box.

The 168 members of the RNC will vote Jan. 14 on a new chairman. "I think he's got a good chance," he said of Priebus.

Ryan isn't the only member of the House backing a candidate in the RNC race.

Speaker John Boehner has reportedly made calls on behalf of former Bush administration official Maria Cino.

Ryan said he didn't know his boss was also involved in the campaign, but noted it wasn't surprising Boehner would support Cino. "They're pretty close, she and John are," he said.

Meanwhile, Priebus is expected to roll out the endorsement of Michael Reagan, the son of the late president, according to National Review Online.

--Updated at 4:20 p.m.



http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/oth ... -rnc-race-


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