Perry ‘pleased’ to head GOP governors

Texas Gov. Rick Perry would be “pleased” to take over the reins of the Republican Governors Association, according to his spokeswoman.

Speculation is mounting that Republican governors will tap Perry to lead the RGA at their meeting next week in San Diego.

“Obviously the governors have to vote,” Katherine Cesinger, a spokeswoman for Perry, told The Ballot Box. “It’s a decision that has to be made by them.”

Still, she added, “the governor certainly would be pleased to be chairman.”

Perry has already served a stint as chairman of the group, which is tasked with helping Republicans win governorships. He was elected in November to his third term as governor. He’s recently been on a national tour promoting his new book.

Politico first reported Perry’s likely ascension to head of the RGA.

Three states hold governors races in 2011, while 11 governorships are up in 2012.

The outgoing RGA chairman, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, was a hugely successful fundraier, bringing in more than $100 million for the 2010 cycle. That money helped Republicans capture or hold the governors’ mansions in key redistricting states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.