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Priebus seeks second term as RNC head

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus opens the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 29, 2012. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus opens the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 29, 2012. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Reince Priebus of Wisconsin has told supporters he plans to seek another two-year term as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

In an email to supporters Friday, Priebus said he has far more support than he needs to keep his job as RNC chairman, The Washington Post reported.

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Priebus said he has commitments from 130 of 168 committee members, far more than the simple majority he needs.

"When I return the week after Thanksgiving, I intend to make an official announcement that I am running to continue on as your chairman, but I wanted to let you all know first," Priebus said. "Also, I am humbled by the over 130 RNC members who I have talked to who have pledged their support and public endorsement for me to continue on as chairman so we can finish the job that we started and continue to grow our party."

The former Wisconsin state party head took over the national committee two years ago. Since then he has helped turn around its fundraising apparatus as well as improved the party's weak ground game, The Hill said.

Some Republicans have called for further improvement in the party's get-out-the-vote efforts. Former RNC Chairman and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said this week the party needs "to give our political organization a very serious proctology exam" before the next election.

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The Republican Party maintained its majority in the House in last week's election but GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney lost to President Barack Obama, and the Republicans lost seats in the Senate and the House.

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