Reince Priebus
Reince Priebus | |
|---|---|
| File:Prebius.JPG | |
| 65th Chairman of the Republican National Committee | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Steele |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Reince R. Priebus |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Sally Priebus |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin–Whitewater University of Miami School of Law |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Website | Reince Priebus's blog |
Reince R. Priebus (Template:Pron-en) is a Republican political figure and the chairman of the Republican National Committee.[1][2] He is also a previous chair of Wisconsin GOP.
Background
Priebus was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin and [3] graduated from George Nelson Tremper High School in 1990.[4] He obtained a bachelor's degree in Political Science and English in 1994 from University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (where he was student body president), worked in the Wisconsin Legislature for a year, and then went to law school, receiving a law degree from University of Miami School of Law in 1998.[5] During his time there, he interned for the NAACP legal defense fund in Los Angeles.[6] In 1998, he joined the law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP in Milwaukee.[3]
In 2004, in his first bid for public office, Priebus unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Robert Wirch for a seat in the Wisconsin Senate,[7][8] where Priebus reportedly spent $384,486 to Wirch's $182,595.[9]
Priebus was elected state GOP party chair in 2007,[10][11] the youngest person ever elected to that position.[12] In 2009, he became general counsel of the RNC under chairman Michael Steele.[12]
Controversial decisions
In the wake of his candidacy for chairman of the Republican National Committee, Priebus has come under fire from conservative activists for his role in seeking federal stimulus funds during his time at the Michael Best & Friedrich law firm in 2009. Priebus was a member of the firm's "Stimulus Legislation Team," which sought to "identify opportunities, prepare appropriate proposals and make targeted contacts to secure [federal] funds.” He has denied association with that team, though numerous documents appear to show his membership.[13]
RNC Tenure
Priebus was elected as Chairman of the Republican National Committee on January 14, 2011. Elected on the seventh ballot, following Ann Wagner's withdrawal from the race, Priebus received the votes of 97 of the 168 committee members.
Personal
Priebus married his wife Sally in 1999 and has two children.[3][11] He also has a dog named Sam. His favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate chip.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Reince Priebus elected new RNC chairman
- ^ BREAKING: RNC bounces Steele, taps Wisconsin GOP leader as new chairman
- ^ a b c (November 2003). Reince Priebus, JD'98: UM Degree Sets Him Apart, University of Miami School of Law Alumni Spotlight, Retrieved January 3, 2010
- ^ Kertscher, Tom (25 March 2004). Attorney takes step toward state Senate, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- ^ Reince R. Priebus biography, Michael Best lawfirm, Retrieved January 3, 2010
- ^ http://www.law.miami.edu/alumni_spotlight.php?article=rpriebus
- ^ Kertscher, Tom (27 September 2004). Sen. Wirch outdueled 3-1 in fund raising, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- ^ Tunkieicz, Jennie (4 December 2005). Democrats try to regroup Ouster of county party leaders deepened schism, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ("Robert Wirch, who faced Republican Reince Priebus for the 22nd District seat. Wirch (D-Kenosha) eventually prevailed with the help of the traditional...")
- ^ (17 February 2005). These figures add up to diminished state, The Post-Crescent ("Bob Wirch and challenger Reince Priebus spent a total of $531081 in their Kenosha-area Senate race. Wirch got outspent $348486 to $182595 but won anyway.")
- ^ (14 May 2007). GOP HOPES TO HONE ITS MESSAGE CONVENTION FOCUSES ON LOSSES, HOW TO RECOUP, St. Paul Pioneer Press ("...the state party's new chairman, Kenosha attorney Reince Priebus.")
- ^ a b About: Reince Priebus Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, wisgop.com, Retrieved January 3, 2010
- ^ a b Reince Priebus, whorunsgov.com (The Washington Post), Retrieved January 3, 2010
- ^ http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/255428/rnc-candidates-firm-sought-stimulus-funds-brian-bolduc
External links
- Profile at Michael Best law firm
- Appearances on C-SPAN