Reince Priebus

Reince Priebus
Born	Reinhold Richard Priebus 18 3, 1972
Birthplace	Dover, New Jersey, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Political analyst, attorney, politician, naval officer
Title	Fox News Political Analyst
Known for	64th Chair of the Republican National Committee, 27th White House Chief of Staff
Education	University of Miami (JD)
Children	2

Reinhold Richard "Reince" Priebus (born March 18, 1972) is an American politician, attorney, naval officer, and television political analyst who served as the 64th chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from 2011 to 2017 and as the 27th White House Chief of Staff during the first six months of President Donald Trump's first term. Born in New Jersey and raised in Wisconsin, Priebus rose through the ranks of Republican politics in the state before assuming national prominence as one of the longest-serving RNC chairmen in modern history. His tenure at the RNC encompassed two presidential election cycles, including the contentious 2016 campaign in which he navigated the party's relationship with Trump from initial skepticism to full institutional support. After a brief and turbulent stint as chief of staff—the shortest tenure of any non-interim holder of that office in American history—Priebus returned to private life, practiced law, and served as a naval officer before joining Fox News Media as a political analyst in January 2026.

Early Life

Reince Priebus was born Reinhold Richard Priebus on March 18, 1972, in Dover, New Jersey. He was raised in Wisconsin, where he would build both his personal and professional life. Priebus is of Greek and German descent, a heritage he has publicly acknowledged. His unusual first name, "Reince," is a combination of syllables from his given names Reinhold and Richard, a nickname that became his lifelong identifier and one of the most distinctive names in American politics.

Growing up in Wisconsin, Priebus developed an early interest in politics and civic engagement. The state's political culture, characterized by its progressive tradition as well as a strong conservative movement, provided a formative environment for the future Republican operative. Wisconsin would remain central to Priebus's identity throughout his career, and his deep roots in the state's Republican infrastructure would prove instrumental in his rise to national prominence.

Education

Priebus attended the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently pursued legal studies at the University of Miami School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 1998. After completing his legal education, Priebus worked as a law clerk before entering the practice of law. He joined the prominent Milwaukee-based law firm Michael Best & Friedrich, where he worked as an attorney. His legal career overlapped with his increasing involvement in Republican Party politics in Wisconsin, and his professional network at Michael Best would later prove valuable in his political ascent.

Career

Wisconsin Republican Party

Priebus became active in Wisconsin Republican politics early in his career, building relationships and organizational expertise within the state party structure. In January 2007, he was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, succeeding Richard Graber in the role. As state party chairman, Priebus worked to strengthen Republican operations across Wisconsin, a politically competitive state that frequently served as a battleground in national elections.

During his tenure as state chairman, Priebus gained a reputation as an effective organizer and fundraiser. He oversaw party operations during a period that included the 2008 presidential election and the lead-up to the 2010 midterm elections, which saw significant Republican gains nationwide. His success in managing the Wisconsin party apparatus drew the attention of national Republican figures and positioned him for a move onto the national stage.

In 2009, while still serving as Wisconsin state chairman, Priebus took on an additional role as general counsel for the Republican National Committee, giving him direct involvement in the national party's legal and organizational affairs. This dual role provided him with an understanding of both state-level and national party operations that would prove advantageous in his subsequent campaign for the RNC chairmanship.

His Wisconsin connections also placed him at the center of significant state-level political battles. Wisconsin during this period was the site of intense partisan conflict, including the recall effort against Republican Governor Scott Walker, in which the RNC under Priebus's subsequent leadership played a role.

Chairman of the Republican National Committee

Election and First Term

In January 2011, Priebus won the Republican National Committee chairmanship election, defeating incumbent chairman Michael Steele and several other candidates. He assumed the chairmanship on January 14, 2011, inheriting a national committee that faced organizational and financial challenges following the 2008 election cycle and the turbulent Steele chairmanship.

As chairman, Priebus moved to address the RNC's financial situation and rebuild its institutional infrastructure. He focused on fundraising, retiring party debt, and investing in technological and data capabilities that had lagged behind the Democratic National Committee's operations. His management approach emphasized organizational discipline and financial accountability.

Priebus was a frequent critic of President Barack Obama's policies, using his platform as RNC chairman to articulate Republican opposition on a range of issues. He made media appearances to challenge the Obama administration's record and to promote Republican alternatives.

2012 Presidential Election

Priebus's first major test as RNC chairman came during the 2012 presidential election cycle. He presided over the Republican National Convention and managed the party's support infrastructure for the eventual nominee, Mitt Romney. Despite Romney's loss to President Obama in November 2012, Priebus's management of the RNC was credited with improving the committee's organizational and financial standing.

In the wake of the 2012 defeat, Priebus commissioned the "Growth and Opportunity Project," commonly referred to as the Republican "autopsy" report. The report examined the reasons for the party's loss and recommended changes in messaging, outreach to minority communities, and investment in ground-game operations and data analytics. Priebus championed the report's findings and sought to implement its recommendations, including enhanced outreach to African American, Hispanic, and Asian American voters.

Reelection and Continued Leadership

Priebus was reelected as RNC chairman, and in January 2015, he was expected to win a historic third term in the position, a rare feat in modern Republican politics. His extended tenure reflected broad support within the RNC membership and a recognition of his organizational achievements. Prior to the 2014 midterm elections, Priebus laid out a set of Republican principles aimed at providing a unifying message for the party's candidates.

During his chairmanship, Priebus also took steps to restructure the Republican presidential primary debate process, which had been criticized as unwieldy and damaging to eventual nominees. He sought to reduce the number of debates and exert greater RNC control over their format and timing. This effort brought him into conflict with media organizations; notably, in 2015, the RNC suspended its debate partnership with NBC News following what the party characterized as unfair handling of a CNBC-hosted debate.

Priebus also took an active role in various state-level races across the country, traveling to key battleground states to support Republican candidates. He described states such as Arkansas as "ground zero" in the battle for control of the U.S. Senate during the 2014 midterm elections. The 2014 midterms resulted in significant Republican gains, including the capture of the Senate majority, which bolstered Priebus's standing within the party.

The 2016 Presidential Election

The 2016 Republican presidential primary presented Priebus with the most complex challenge of his chairmanship. The entrance of Donald Trump into the race upended conventional expectations and created tensions within the party establishment. Priebus initially opposed Trump during the early stages of the primaries, consistent with the concerns of many establishment Republicans about Trump's candidacy and its potential impact on the party.

As Trump accumulated delegates and moved toward securing the nomination, Priebus navigated significant internal party pressures. Efforts by some Republican delegates to change convention rules to prevent Trump's nomination were managed and ultimately unsuccessful, with the RNC under Priebus's leadership maintaining the existing delegate framework. Once Trump secured the Republican nomination, Priebus publicly stated that the RNC would stand behind the nominee and worked to unify the party behind Trump for the general election.

The RNC's organizational infrastructure, which Priebus had spent years building and modernizing, was credited as a significant asset to Trump's general election campaign. The committee's ground-game operations, voter data systems, and fundraising apparatus complemented Trump's unconventional campaign style. Trump's victory in November 2016 cemented Priebus's role as a key figure in the Republican coalition.

White House Chief of Staff

Following Trump's election, Priebus was named White House Chief of Staff, beginning his service on January 20, 2017. His appointment was seen as a concession to the Republican establishment and an effort to bridge the gap between the incoming Trump administration and the institutional party. Priebus's selection was announced alongside the appointment of Steve Bannon as chief strategist, establishing a dual power structure in the West Wing that would become a source of ongoing tension.

As chief of staff, Priebus was responsible for managing White House operations, coordinating policy development, and serving as a liaison between the president and Congress. His tenure was marked by internal power struggles within the White House, as multiple senior advisers competed for influence and access to the president. The organizational dynamic was described by observers as resembling a court environment with rival factions.

Priebus's deputies during his time as chief of staff included Katie Walsh, Joe Hagin, and Rick Dearborn. His management style drew controversy, with critics both inside and outside the administration questioning his ability to impose order on a chaotic West Wing environment. Priebus resigned from the position on July 31, 2017, after approximately six months in the role—the shortest tenure of any non-interim White House chief of staff in American history. He was succeeded by retired Marine General John F. Kelly, who was brought in with a mandate to impose greater discipline on White House operations.

Naval Service

Following his departure from the White House, Priebus pursued a commission in the United States Navy. He began his naval service in 2019, serving as a lieutenant in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. His decision to serve in the military represented a departure from his career in partisan politics and law.

Post-Government Career and Media

After leaving the White House and while continuing his naval service, Priebus remained involved in Republican politics in an advisory capacity. He advised Tim Michels's 2022 campaign for governor of Wisconsin, which launched in April of that year and ultimately was unsuccessful. In January 2026, he commented on the possibility of Michels entering the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial race, stating that it was "a little late" for such a bid.

In January 2026, Fox News Media signed Priebus as a political analyst, a role in which he appears across all of the network's platforms. In this capacity, he has provided commentary on a range of political topics, including President Trump's second-term policies, the 2026 midterm election outlook, and U.S. foreign policy. In February 2026, Priebus appeared on Fox Business to discuss Trump's State of the Union address, stating that it was Trump's "time now to set the record straight." He has also commented on U.S.-Iran relations, stating on Fox News's Special Report that Trump understands the "problem" is with the Iranian regime.

In an interview with WISN's UPFRONT program, Priebus discussed the 2026 midterm elections, stating that "nothing makes sense anymore" with respect to the political landscape and anticipating that President Trump would weigh in on Wisconsin's races.

Personal Life

Priebus is of Greek and German heritage. He has two children. Priebus has maintained his residence and connections in Wisconsin throughout his career, even while serving in Washington, D.C. His ties to the state have remained a defining element of his public identity, and he has continued to comment on Wisconsin politics in his post-government career.

Recognition

Priebus's tenure as RNC chairman is notable for its length and the scope of organizational changes he implemented. Serving from January 2011 to January 2017, he led the Republican National Committee through two presidential election cycles and oversaw significant investments in party infrastructure, data analytics, and outreach programs. His election to a third term as chairman in 2015 was described as historic.

His role as White House Chief of Staff, while brief, placed him at the center of one of the most consequential political transitions in modern American history. Media coverage during and after his government service has been extensive, with profiles in The New York Times, and fact-checking by outlets such as PolitiFact.

The trajectory of Priebus's career—from Wisconsin state party chairman to RNC chairman to White House chief of staff—marked one of the more rapid ascents in recent Republican Party history. His appointment as a Fox News political analyst in 2026 continued his role as a prominent voice within the Republican political ecosystem.

Legacy

Priebus's legacy in Republican politics centers on his institutional contributions to the RNC and his role during the transformative 2016 election. As RNC chairman, he modernized the committee's technological infrastructure, reformed the presidential debate process, and led the party's response to its 2012 electoral defeat through the Growth and Opportunity Project. While many of the autopsy report's recommendations regarding minority outreach were ultimately overtaken by the party's shift toward Trump's populist messaging, the organizational and data investments Priebus championed proved durable.

His management of the 2016 primary and convention process is a central element of his legacy. Faced with an unprecedented challenge from Trump's insurgent candidacy, Priebus ultimately chose to maintain institutional neutrality and then rally the party behind its nominee—a decision that contributed to Trump's general election victory but also drew criticism from those who believed the party establishment should have resisted more firmly.

As chief of staff, Priebus's tenure illustrated the challenges of managing a White House with multiple competing power centers. His brief service and the circumstances of his departure became a case study in White House organizational dynamics. He was succeeded by John F. Kelly, whose military background represented a different approach to the chief of staff role.

Priebus's subsequent naval service and his continued involvement in Republican politics and media commentary suggest a career that has remained engaged with public affairs beyond his formal government service. His role as a Fox News analyst positions him as a continued participant in Republican political discourse during Donald Trump's second term in office.