Michael Steele's Replacement Is ...

Wisconsin GOP Chairman Reince Priebus will be the new chairman of the Republican National Committee. He surpassed the 85 necessary votes in the seventh round of balloting late this afternoon. Outgoing chief Michael Steele dropped out after the fourth round when it became clear he had no chance. The candidate he then backed, Maria Cino, finished third, behind Priebus and Saul Anuzis.

“I can’t wait to rebuild this party and help conservative candidates,” said Priebus, who promised to restore financial order and lure back disenchanted donors. He also gave a brief acknowledgment to Steele, the man blamed for causing the financial mess to begin with, notes Politico. “I want to thank Chairman Steele for his leadership the last two years. Thank you.” (More Republican National Committee stories.)