Today's election of Michael Steele as the first black chairman of the Republican National Committee sends an important message following the inauguration of President Barack Obama, Virginia Republicans and political analysts said.
It "sends a signal that the party is more open to all people," said Toni Travis, a political scientist at George Mason University.
Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, said the choice marked no less than "the dawn of a new party."
Republicans chose Steele over four other candidates, including Mike Duncan, former President George W. Bush's hand-picked GOP chief, who bowed out declaring, "Obviously the winds of change are blowing."
Steele takes the helm of a Republican Party that is trying to recover after defeats in November's national elections that gave Democrats control of Congress and put Obama in the White House.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, issued a statement congratulating his new GOP counterpart.
"Together, we have the honor of leading our respective parties during one of the most important periods in our country's history," Kaine said.
"I look forward to working with Chairman Steele as we set out to put partisanship and the politics of the past aside to get our economy working again."
Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, R-Prince William, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, praised the pick.
"Our party has a horrible problem in communicating and Mike Steele is one of the greatest communicators the party has," he said. "More important than that is the fact that he will be effective in outreach and bringing in new people to the party, which we need."
Steve Farnsworth, political scientist at George Mason University, said the election of Steele "couldn't have come at a better time for Virginia Republicans.
"The next big election is the Virginia governor's race. The Republicans need to do better in Northern Virginia and a lot of Maryland is like Northern Virginia. He will be useful to Republicans in the areas north of the Rappahannock."
Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, the No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives, said Steele "will bring a renewed energy to the RNC and strong leadership shaped by experience at all levels of our party."
Steele, who will serve a two-year term, vowed to expand the reach of the party by competing for every group, everywhere.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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