Katon Dawson

Katon Edwards Dawson (born February 29, 1956) is an American politician from the state of South Carolina, former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party and was a 2009 candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Early life Dawson was born in Columbia, South Carolina in then-heavily Democratic South Carolina, his parents helped organize the state's first GOP precincts. Dawson says his political interest came from attending a Barry Goldwater speech in 1964, and first volunteered for Richard Nixon's 1968 presidential campaign.

Dawson graduated from the University of South Carolina.

Political career Dawson was elected Richland County GOP vice chairman in 1994 and state party chair 2002.

In 2006, despite nationwide losses by the Republican party, the South Carolina GOP carried eight of nine statewide constitutional offices.Goldsmith, Brian S.C. GOP Chair Says Electability is Key, CBS News, January 18, 2008.

In August 2007 Dawson drew national attention for his decision to move the 2008 South Carolina Republican presidential primary from Feb. 2 to January 29, preserving the state's "first in the South" primary. In every election since 1980, the winner of the South Carolina primary has won the Republican presidential nomination, except in 2012 when Newt Gingrich won the primary and did not secure the nomination.Preston, Mark South Carolina GOP moves up primary, adds to 2008 scramble, CNN.com, August 9, 2007.

During Dawson's chairmanship, the South Carolina GOP has made progress with outreach to African-Americans and in promoting minorities to leadership positions,Smith, Gina. Black Republicans forging new paths in S. Carolina , The State, October 13, 2008.McPike, Erin. Alexander Urges Republicans To Keep After Black Votes, Congress Daily, November 21, 2008. electing its first African-American member of the Republican National Committee from the South, and in 2008 the first black Republican State Representative since Reconstruction was elected.Wilson, Reid. They've Got Game , Campaigns and Elections' Politics Magazine, August 31, 2008.

Dawson became the first state Republican chair to endorse the "Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less." campaign launched by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's organization American Solutions.Slade, David. GOP head backs oil drilling , Charleston Post and Courier, July 10, 2008.

Dawson expressed his interest in chairing the Republican National Committee in October 2007 when reports confirmed Senator Mel Martinez would be stepping down,McPike, Erin. SC's Dawson Eyes RNC Post , The Hotline, October 3, 2007. but did not actively campaignCillizza, Chris. The Race Within the Republican Race , The Fix, washingtonpost.com, January 14, 2008. until he announced his official bid on November 24, 2008 for the 2009 RNC Chairmanship Election.Mark Murray. Dawson officially enters RNC race, MSNBC, November 24, 2008 Dawson was one of two candidates to earn votes on each of the six votes taken; he lost the final ballot to winner Michael Steele, 91-77.Burns, Alexander. Steele: 'How do you like me now?' , Politico, January 30, 2009 It was reported that in September 2008 Dawson resigned his membership in the Forest Lake Club, a whites-only country club located in Columbia, South Carolina, amid controversy. A 2017 Guardian article, though, states "It was later discovered that he had remained a member the whole time."

RNC Chairman Vote

Source: CQPolitics, and Poll Pundit Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Michael Steele 464851 60 79 91 Katon Dawson 28 29 34 62 69 77 Saul Anuzis 22 24 24 31 20Withdrew Ken Blackwell 20 19 15 15Withdrew Mike Duncan 52 48 44Withdrew Candidate won that Round of voting Candidate withdrew Candidate won RNC Chairmanship

Personal life Dawson lives with his wife Candy in Columbia, S.C. They have two children, Anna and Katon Jr.

Katon Dawson

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