The North Carolina Republican party selected a new leadership at its convention in Raleigh this weekend.

Delegates selected former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer as the new state party chairman.

Timothy Johnson of Buncombe County will serve as vice-chairman. Johnson is the first African-American to serve as vice-chair of the North Carolina Republican party.

More than 1,600 delegates attended the convention at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Organizers say they had a record turnout, as Republicans eye the 2010 elections.

"We just have a lot of excited Republicans who are ready to win and to define what this party is about, lowering taxes, less government, and more freedom," said spokesman Brent Woodcox.

About 500 republicans from across the state closed out the convention with an executive committee meeting Sunday morning.