Politics
Will J.C.Watts be the next RNC chairman?
J.C. Watts. PHOTO/File
Former GOP Rep. J.C. Watts says he is being “encouraged” by supporters to run for chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), a move he says could broaden the party’s appeal to minorities.
Watts is not formally entering the race, and he is not critical of current Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who has already announced he will second term in the post.
Watts, an African-American conservative who served in the House from 1994-2002, said that the Republican party’s defeat on Election Day demonstrates that Republicans need to broaden their appeal to minority voters, and cannot continue on their current path if the party is to be successful in presidential races.
“My concern right now, and I don’t say this necessarily as a candidate for RNC chairman, my concern is that as a Republican, every single Republican in America ought to be concerned about what has happened in 2008 and 2012,” Watts said in an interview with POLITICO. “In this business, if you’re not growing, you’re dying.”
Watts would not identify who is lobbying him to challenge Priebus, and reiterated that he has not made a decision to definitely jump into the race.
Watts complained that Republican efforts to reach out to minority groups have not been sustained or consistent during his 20-plus years as a politician, but rather are executed on ad hoc basis – usually in election years.
