Will Republicans Pick a Woman to Lead Party? The Odds Are Getting Better

The names of three women are in the mix to lead the Republican National Committee, giving committee members a chance to make their second consecutive departure from tradition when they elect a chairman in January.

Two years ago, the 168 RNC members chose Michael Steele as their first black chairman. Steele's tenure has been problematic, to put it mildly. It's unclear if he will run for re-election, but a number of party figures are planning or already mounting bids to succeed him.

The most intriguing development is the emergence of two -- and possibly three -- women as real contenders, after decades of women in co-chair or subsidiary "vice chair" positions. The last and only time a woman held the chairman title was Mary Louise Smith's tenure in 1974. She remains the sole woman among 64 chairs over the years.

The most speculative and interesting female candidate this year is Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett Packard CEO who just lost a California Senate race to Democrat Barbara Boxer. In a statement to the San Jose Mercury News, spokeswoman Julie Sunderland declined to confirm or deny Fiorina's interest in the post. She did say, however, that Fiorina is "exploring what her options might be to stay engaged in the issues she's passionate about." In other words, she'd like to stay in politics.

Next along the spectrum is Maria Cino, who was CEO of the 2008 Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn., and has laid groundwork for a race by registering a "Maria for Chairman" fundraising committee with the Federal Election Commission. Cino is a former Transportation Department official and has held numerous high-level positions with the RNC and other party committees. She's well known to GOP insiders and her supporters include Mary Cheney.

Furthest along is Ann Wagner of Missouri, a former RNC member and co-chair and a former ambassador to Luxembourg. She also chaired Rep. Roy Blunt's successful Senate campaign this year. Wagner has a snazzy website and announced her candidacy on a YouTube video. "We must be efficient, relevant, professional and credible," she says.

Among men interested in the chairmanship, former Michigan GOP chairman Saul Anuzis is running and Gentry Collins is looking likely. Collins was until recently political director of the RNC and made a splash by releasing a resignation letter detailing the sorry financial and operational state of the RNC under Steele. Others weighing a bid include Reince Priebus, chairman of the Wisconsin GOP, and Nick Ayers, executive director of the Republican Governors Association.

Democrats have had one black and two female leaders among their 50 chairmen: Ron Brown in 1992, Jean Westwood in 1972 and Debra DeLee in 1994. The current chairman is former Virginia governor Tim Kaine. He could move to a job in the Obama administration or stay at the DNC and complete his four-year term.

Follow Jill Lawrence on Facebook and Twitter