Floridian Gets Post Maureen Reagan Held

Jeanie Austin, head of the Florida Republican Party, was named today as the next No. 2 official at the national GOP, replacing President Reagan’s daughter Maureen in a post now commonly given to a woman.

Austin said at a news conference that she is ready and eager to work alongside Lee Atwater, chosen as the next party chairman by President-elect George Bush. She added that she plans to meet with Bush in Washington on Tuesday.

Election a Formality

Both Atwater and Austin must be elected formally by the Republican National Committee when it meets next month, but by tradition a Republican President names the RNC chairman and the new chief then chooses the deputy, called a co-chair.

Atwater’s predecessor, current Chairman Frank Fahrenkopf, did not have much choice in the placement of Maureen Reagan into the job above many veteran GOP hands, and his relationship with the President’s daughter was rocky.

Flattered by Choice

In contrast, Austin, 54, told the news conference that Atwater, 37, is a friend and that she was “flattered to be chosen.”

Austin said she will work for increased voter registration, more campaign funds raised at the state level and GOP victories on state and local levels.

Austin has led the Florida GOP since 1984, serving as vice chairwoman for five years before that. She supported Bush in 1980 when he vied with Reagan for the presidential nomination and she was credited this year with helping Bush lock up Florida early, enabling him to divert campaign resources to other states.