RNC snags ex-Mich. GOP chief as national finance chairman

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has hired former Michigan GOP Chairman Ron Weiser as its national finance chairman, the party announced Tuesday.

Weiser will be charged with raising millions for the party to help erase its massive debt and build up a war chest to help the GOP win the White House in 2012. The former ambassador is familiar with the RNC — he has served on its national finance transition team since February.

“Ron has done an excellent job helping lead the transition and as a result the committee is off to a great start. Ron brings a wealth of experience to the RNC as a fundraiser and has been instrumental in helping restore trust with our major donors," RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement.

Weiser could have a difficult task ahead of him. Despite raising $5.2 million in February, the party still stands $21 million in debt in the aftermath of Michael Steele's reign as chairman. 

One of Priebus's main initiatives as chairman has been to rebuild relationships with major Republican donors. He has spent much of his time since the beginning of the year reaching out to big fundraisers in order to open up cash flow as the party prepares for the 2012 presidential elections.

Weiser has deep experience with donor outreach: he served as Michigan finance chair for George W. Bush's successful presidential campaign in 2000 and worked as national co-chairman of Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) failed 2008 presidential bid.

The Michigan GOP had success under Weiser's chairmanship, picking up two House seats and the governorship in the union-heavy state.

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