Michael S. Steele

Michael S. Steele made history when he became the first African-American to be elected to statewide office in Maryland, where he served as lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2007, and when he was chosen to be the first African-American chairperson of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from 2009 to 2011.

As Chairman of the RNC, Steele was charged with revitalizing the Republican Party. Under his leadership the RNC broke fundraising records, with more than $198 million raised during the 2010 congressional cycle; and Republicans won 63 House seats, the biggest pickup since 1938. Steele’s commitment to grassroots organizing and party-building at the state and local levels produced 12 governorships and the greatest share of state legislative seats since 1928, reflecting a pickup of more than 600 seats.

As lieutenant governor of Maryland, Steele’s priorities included improving the quality of Maryland’s public education system (he championed the state’s charter school law); expanding economic development in the state; reforming the state’s Minority Business Enterprise program, and fostering cooperation between government and faith-based organizations to help those in need.