Encyclopedia · Biography
Reince Priebus
American lawyer and former White House chief of staff
Personal details
- Full name
- Reinhold Richard Priebus
- Born
- March 18, 1972 · New Jersey
- Parents
- Richard Priebus; Dimitra Pitsiladis Priebus
- Education
- University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, B.A. (1994); University of Miami School of Law, J.D. (1998)
- Spouse
- Sally Priebus
- Children
- Two
- Political affiliation
- Republican
- Offices
- Wisconsin Republican Party chairman (2007–2011); RNC chairman (2011–2017); White House chief of staff (January–July 2017)
- Occupation
- Attorney and political party executive
Reinhold Richard “Reince” Priebus (born 1972) is an American attorney and Republican Party official who chaired the Republican National Committee from 2011 to January 2017 and served as the first White House chief of staff of President Donald Trump.
Family and education
Priebus grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after his family moved from New Jersey. His father Richard and mother Dimitra are identified in published accounts. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 1994 and a law degree from the University of Miami in 1998. He married Sally Priebus; they have two children.
Law and Wisconsin Republican politics
A corporate litigator at Michael Best & Friedrich, Priebus advanced through Wisconsin Republican Party leadership and became state chairman in 2007. He also volunteered as general counsel to the Republican National Committee before becoming its chairman in 2011.
Republican National Committee
During six years as RNC chairman, Priebus oversaw national party fundraising, data and ground operations and the 2016 election cycle. This party infrastructure was a formal organization, not the same entity as Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
White House and subsequent career
Priebus became White House chief of staff on January 20, 2017. He participated in assembling the incoming administration, including deputy chief of staff Rick Dearborn. John F. Kelly succeeded him on July 31, 2017. Priebus returned to Michael Best, later held academic fellowships, and served in the Navy Reserve.
References
Research compiled through November 12, 2026. Sources and historical roles are dated where known.