House Republicans elected U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) head of the National Republican Congressional Committee Wednesday.  U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Ok.), who chaired the organization through a round of Congressional losses this fall, dropped out of the race at the last minute.  Sessions had the backing of House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).

Sessions thanked Cole for his work in a statement, saying, "Tom Cole has led the NRCC through difficult times, and I thank him for his principled, dedicated work to win Republican seats in Congress. Under Chairman Cole's leadership, the NRCC became a stronger institution, and I am grateful for his dedicated service."

Sessions briefly laid out his vision as NRCC chairman. "Today marks a new beginning for the NRCC. I will build an aggressive, energized, and modernized NRCC by immediately working to strengthen fundraising, implement strategic candidate recruitment, update messaging and technology, and create organizational strength and long-term strategies to secure a Republican Majority."