Ronna McDaniel made a significant announcement on Monday, revealing her decision to step down from her role as chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) after a tenure of seven years.
Her departure is scheduled for March 8, just three days following Super Tuesday, with McDaniel expressing her intention to vacate the position during the RNC’s spring training in Houston. She emphasized her commitment to adhering to the tradition of allowing the party’s nominee to select their preferred chair, stating, “The R.N.C. has historically undergone change once we have a nominee, and it has always been my intention to honor that tradition. I remain committed to winning back the White House and electing Republicans up and down the ballot in November.”
The news of McDaniel’s resignation was initially reported by The New York Times. McDaniel initially assumed the chairmanship at the behest of Donald Trump shortly after his election to the presidency in 2016.
As Trump is poised to secure the GOP nomination once again, he has been advocating for McDaniel’s replacement, publicly endorsing Michael Whatley, the North Carolina GOP Chair, for the position, along with his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as the prospective co-chair. Additionally, Trump endorsed Chris LaCivita to take on the role of the RNC’s chief operating officer, describing the trio as “highly talented, battle-tested, and smart” with his full endorsement.
Trump anticipated the shakeup within the RNC following his victory in the South Carolina GOP primary election, as reported by ABC News.
McDaniel, who made history as the first woman to chair the RNC, previously served as the chair of the Republican Party in Michigan before assuming national leadership in 2017. Despite facing criticism from some of Trump’s allies for not canceling the current cycle’s Republican debates, McDaniel has received praise from prominent figures within the party, including Senator Steve Daines of Montana, Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina, and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
McCarthy lauded McDaniel as a “strong leader” who played a pivotal role in the party’s success, particularly in reclaiming the House majority after losing it in 2018. He credited her leadership for expanding the electoral map and supporting emerging candidates within the party.
