Who is RNC chairman candidate Maria Cino?

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

In less than two weeks, the Republican National Committee representatives from across the nation will vote in a new chairman.  For a job that receives much criticism and little gratitude, there is a full field of impressive candidates such as Saul Anuzis, Maria Cino, Gentry Collins, Reince Priebus, current chairman Michael Steele  running for reelection, and Ann Wagner, all vying for the top spot.

We know Michael Steele is the current RNC chairman, the first African-American to hold that position, who has weathered criticism during his two-year tenure. A corporate financial attorney, he has an impressive record, serving as the first African-American  elected statewide in Maryland where he was Lieutenant Governor from 2003-07, was a Fox News Channel commentator, and co-founded the Republican Leadership Council.

Saul Anuzis has been in this spot before, running for the RNC chairman position in 2009 when he lost to Steele, and had previously been chairman of the Michigan Republican Party from 2005-09. A strong conservative, he served on Jack Kemp's 1988 presidential campaign, worked throughout the years with Newt Gingrich's "American Solutions," and has participated on various RNC committees at the request of Michael Steele.

Ann Wagner has experience as a two-term RNC co-chairman and has been endorsed by former UN Ambassador John Bolton who described her as a tough, no-nonsense conservative. She has worked at all levels of the GOP including chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, former Missouri committeewoman, ambassador to Luxembourg, and recently was chairman of Roy Blunt's successful U.S. Senate campaign.

Former RNC political director Gentry Collins made news when he stepped down from that position last month, challenging his former boss, Michael Steele, for the top position. He served as executive director of the Republican Governors Association in 2006, ran Mitt Romney for President's 2008 Iowa caucus campaign, and then became regional campaign manager for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. At 35, he is one of the younger candidates.

Reince Priebus is currently chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party. He was also a former ally Michael Steele, serving on his kitchen cabinet in the past but now appearing to be critical of RNC's leadership by declaring that he would run a tight ship, keeping expenses low and regaining the confidence of donors. His endorsements have come from Committeemen Alec Poitevint of Georgia and Henry Barbour of Mississippi as well as Illinois Republican Chairman Pat Brady.

Finally there is Maria Cino. But who is Maria Cino? Out of that group, she is not exactly a household word that many at the grassroots level would recognize but her work for the GOP has affected all in one way or another. As one of only two women running for chair, her background is impressive.

Already she has some heavy hitters on her side. In early December a fundraiser was held for her at the Virginia home of close friend Mary Matalin and co-hosted by former Vice President Dick Cheney. Among the more than 400 guests who attended were former Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Ed Gillespie and former New York Rep. Bill Paxon. She has been endorsed by Ohio Republican Chairman Kevin DeWine, Ohio RNC Committeewoman Jo Ann Davidson, and Todd Tiahrt, conservative leader of the Kansas congressional delegation. From her native New York, state Republican chairman Ed Cox and the Republican congressional delegation have thrown their support behind her.

Described as a workhorse rather than a showhorse, she has diligently toiled for years in the background away from the spotlight seeking results rather than headlines, and she has insight into the everyday aspects of the job thanks to her time spent as RNC Deputy Chairman from 2003-04.

Since leaving New York state to begin work at RNC's Washington, DC, headquarters in 1981, she has organized some of the biggest GOP events throughout the past 30 years. Her extensive experience from the ground up is a huge asset and something the GOP could use at a time when strong, responsible leadership is badly needed to steer the RNC through rough political waters. Her extensive contacts as well as her work with major donors, fundraising, and candidates has provided experience and talents that could be used at the RNC.

Her resume is impressive: President and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation from 2005-07, Assistant Secretary/Director General of U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce from 2001-03, RNC Deputy Chairman for Political Operations in 2000, NRCC Executive Director from 1993-97, and more.

One of Ms. Cino's accomplishments was serving as national political director of the George W. Bush for President campaign in 1999-2000 when she developed the largest primary grassroots organization any Republican campaign had ever accomplished.

Setting forth a vision for the RNC, Ms. Cino believes the work at hand should include: 1) rebuilding the GOP's financial strength by retiring debt, and rebuilding and reinvigorating fundraising; 2) restoring accountabililty by instilling faith that the RNC will be a good stewart of contributions and the Party's reputation; and, 3) saving the 2012 convention by ensuring the success of the convention's mission to showcase Republican ideas, values and vision to the American people.

Because Ms. Cino has worked in the trenches for many years, she has unique insight into what it takes to run such a large organization. As Cheri Jacobus at The Hill wrote:

Cino has a proven record working at nearly every level of politics and government, and it is virtually an impossible notion the GOP would find itself having to make excuses for gaffes, cover up ineptitude, find ways to compensate for incompetence and screw-ups or cringe when watching her on one of the Sunday morning talkfests. In fact, given what I know of Maria Cino, I think it would not be a stretch to predict she might be one of the strongest, most effective RNC chairs in a generation, right up there with the legendary Haley Barbour.
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In short, a Chairwoman Maria Cino would undoubtedly hit the ground running, need virtually no "learning curve" and would be at full strength on day one.

With a proven track record as one who produces results without showboating, could Maria Cino be the cure for the RNC's ills?