Michael Steele currently serves as chairman of GOPAC, which recruits and helps elect Republicans to state and local offices -- the GOP’s version of a farm system. Steele was elected Maryland’s lieutenant governor in 2002 and served in that capacity until 2006. Rather than run for re-election alongside Gov. Bob Ehrlich (who lost), Steele made and lost a bid for Maryland’s open U.S. Senate seat. Steele has experience running parties: he chaired the Prince George’s County GOP from 1994-2000 and the Maryland GOP from 2000-2002.