RNC Gender Rule Could Swing Co-Chair Race

The RNC may drop a rule requiring that the chair and co-chair be of opposite sexes. But the change might not come in time to help Roger Villere's co-chair candidacy.

Roger Villere is the state chair of the Louisiana Republican Party, and he's running for co-chair of the RNC - a position not usually held by a male because of a rule that mandates the chair and co-chair be of opposite sexes.

Villere took the time to talk to FrumForum about his campaign, which comes on the heals of another campaign: his unsuccessful run in 2010 for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana.

"I'd like to run for co-chair because it fits my personality, I can do a good job... I've worked with them, I've had experience electing Republicans and raising money," Villere said to FrumForum.

Not surprisingly, Villere is supporting a female for RNC chair - he wouldn't be eligible to run for co-chair if a male won. The two females in the race are former RNC deputy director Maria Cino and former RNC co-chair Ann Wagner.

"I know both the women candidates, they're both excellent candidates, and I think either one of them would do a great job as RNC chairman. I'm friends with them," said Villere. FrumForum asked if he had made up his mind as to which female candidate he would support. Villere said he had, but declined to reveal what his choice was.

Thursday afternoon, the RNC rules committee convened to address a possible rule change that would allow the body's chair and co-chair to be of the same sex. Unfortunately for Villere, any changes made to the rules wouldn't take effect until after the 2012 Republican National Convention. That said, the rules committee unanimously decided to refer the rule change to a sub-committee today, which puts it on a trajectory to change after 2012.

"I think [the same-sex rule] is antiquated. I would be in support of changing that rule, and I think we're going to do it at the next convention," said Chairman Villere.

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