By Jeff E. Schapiro

Times-Dispatch Political Columnist

Another member of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s kitchen cabinet is giving up his Richmond gig to cook up a recipe for other prospective Republican successes in Virginia and beyond.

Chris Jankowski, currently a state Capitol lobbyist for automakers, cigarette manufacturers and car-title lenders, is becoming the president of the Republican State Leadership Committee. The group focuses on  building the GOP at the state level.

It’s back to the future for Jankowski, Maryland-raised, South Carolina-educated lawyer. He’s been affiliated for years with RSLC, a group whose generosity to McDonnell’s bid for attorney general in 2005 raised eyebrows among Republicans and Democrats.

It was RSLC which — in a single contribution — pumped more than $2 million into McDonnell’s candidacy late in the race with Creigh Deeds, whom McDonnell defeated by fewer than 400 votes. The two faced off again in 2009, when McDonnell crushed Deeds in a landslide.

Jankowski has been closely involved Republican campaigns in Virginia, advising McDonnell in his two statewide bids and planning and overseeing key legislative campaigns, including those of state Sen. Richard Stuart of Westmoreland and Del. Christopher Stolle of Virginia Beach.

Phil Cox, McDonnell’s lead strategist, also has gone national.

Cox is the new executive director of the Republican Governors Association, which McDonnell will head in 2012. McDonnell, in league with Cox, will steer money, services and advice to GOP gubernatorial candidates. The party currently holds the majority of governorships.