Third Round RNC Balloting: Steele Pulls Ahead
Here are the results of the third round of the race for RNC chairman. It takes 85 votes to win.
Michael Steele--51
Mike Duncan (incumbent)--44
Katon Dawson--34
Saul Anuzis--24
Ken Blackwell--15
See earlier posts today on the Maryland Politics blog to compare the results of the first three rounds and for more background on the candidates.
Between rounds two and three, Steele gained three votes to pull into the lead. But Dawson gained five and will be closely watched in the next round, which could provide a clear picture of the likely winner.
Anuzis gained none. Duncan lost four votes and Blackwell lost four.
At the moment, it looks like a race between Steele, who is regarded as an outsider, even though he once served on the committee, and Dawson, the insider, which is usually the one who wins. Anuzis, another insider, is still alive but a longshot for now. Duncan, the incumbent, who got the job from President George W. Bush, and Blackwell, an outsider, are finished.
The next round of voting will start in 15 minutes.
