By Adam Fogle | January 30th, 2009 | 9 comments

168 MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE WILL ELECT CHAIRMAN

One of the nastiest, most drawn-out, expensive races to head the Republican National Committee ever is almost over. Within the hour, the 168 members of the RNC will vote for the chairman at the Winter Meeting in Washington, DC.

South Carolina’s own Katon Dawson is among the six candidates running. Joining him are current Chairman Mike Duncan, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, and former Tennessee GOP Chairman Chip Saltsman.

I couldn’t make it up to DC for the event, but my well-placed sources will be bringing you minute by minute updates in the live blog below the jump (cross-posted on YourRNC.com). So keep refreshing the page and you’ll know exactly what’s going on as it happens.

4:04 – Michael Steele has been elected RNC Chair, 91-77.

3:45 – Anuzis has dropped out. Down to Steele and Dawson. Final ballot coming up.

3:28 – Result of fifth ballot: Steele 79, Dawson 69, Anuzis 20. They will recess until 3:43.

3:09 – Fifth round ballots have been cast. States being called up.

3:05 – Blackwell has dropped out.

3:00 – About to begin fifth round of balloting.

2:42 – Fourth round ballot results: Dawson 62, Steele 60, Anuzis 31, Blackwell 15. They’re taking a 15 minute recess and will vote again.

2:32 – Ballots for the fourth round about to be counted.

2:23 – State delegations begin turning in fourth ballots.

2:18 – Motion to take five minute recess defeated. Fourth round ballots being handed out.

2:15 – Mike Duncan has withdrawn.

1:56 – Steele and Blackwell talking. Could they be cutting a deal? Dawson and Duncan were seen discussing something earlier, so a deal there is also a possibility.

1:49 – Sources say there will be a serious shake-up on or after the fourth ballot.

1:37 – Third ballot results: Steele 51, Duncan 44, Dawson 34, Anuzis 24, Blackwell 15.

1:23 – Third round ballots being distributed.

12:56 – Second ballot: Duncan 48, Steele 48, Dawson 29, Anuzis 24, Blackwell 19.

12:44 – States have all turned in their ballots. Time for the counting to begin.

12:31 – States being called up to deposit ballots.

12:26 – Second ballot being handed out to members.

12:10 – They’ll be taking a lunch break. You can also following along with the events on C-SPAN or on Twitter.

12:06 – First Round of Voting: Duncan – 52, Steele – 46, Dawson – 28, Anuzis – 22, Blackwell – 20. No one has a majority so they’ll vote again.

11:35 – First round of balloting has begun.

11:22 – About to start the first vote.

11:02 – Dawson nominated by Glenn McCall.

10:56 – Duncan third to be nominated.

10:52 – Steele second to be nominated by committeewoman Joyce Terhes of Maryland.

10:48 – Blackwell nominated first by Gary Jones, State Chairman of Oklahoma.

10:43 – Motion to conduct election by secret ballot passes.

10:41 – Presiding officer tells current Vice Chair Jo Ann Davidson that “there will be absolutely no politicking on the floor during this session.” The entire room laughed.

10:39 – Linda Ackerman of California gives the invocation.

10:37 – Saltsman has dropped out.

10:36 – Session has come to order and all six candidates are in the room.