Jindal said to be next leader for top GOP post

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is reportedly in line to become chairman of the Republican Governors Association, a post that has raised the national profile of some officeholders.

CNN reports Jindal, who was mentioned as a possible running mate for Mitt Romney, will take over next year and succeed current RGA chairman Bob McDonnell of Virginia.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is actually McDonnell's vice chairman, but the popular Republican is up for re-election in 2013. While he has not said formally whether he will seek a second term, Christie is likely to run again and could face Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

McDonnell has traveled the country on behalf of the nation's 29 Republican governors and raised money for the organization and individual campaigns. When they held the RGA chairman's post, both Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry were able to make contacts across the country that were helpful to their White House ambitions.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, who is said to be eyeing a presidential bid in 2016, also has a higher national profile than some of his counterparts in part because of his service as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.

Jindal was re-elected Louisiana governor last year, defeating nine challengers and coasting to a landslide victory.