Republican Party leader Ronna McDaniel announced her resignation on Monday, amidst a significant upheaval in power, spurred by weeks of public pressure from the party’s anticipated 2024 nominee, Donald Trump.
This move underscores the former president’s influence over the party as he gears up for a potential rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden in November.
In the wake of a February 5th meeting with McDaniel, Trump took to social media, indicating his intent to push for changes within the Republican National Committee (RNC) following his decisive victory in South Carolina’s primary over the state’s former governor, Nikki Haley.
A week later, he threw his support behind Michael Whatley, Chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, for the position of RNC chair, alongside his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as co-chair, solidifying his control over the organisation.
Whatley has echoed Trump’s debunked claims of electoral fraud in the 2020 election, as per a CNN report.
McDaniel, in a statement, expressed her commitment to upholding tradition, stating, “The RNC has historically undergone change once we have a nominee and it has always been my intention to honour that tradition.
“I remain committed to winning back the White House and electing Republicans up and down the ballot in November.”
She extended gratitude to Trump and announced her departure effective from the RNC’s spring meeting on March 8th, three days following the Super Tuesday Republican nominating contests.
Acknowledging the critical role of the RNC in fundraising, promoting the party’s message, resource allocation, and voter turnout, McDaniel’s successor will inherit the challenge of uniting a fractured party.
Despite being re-elected for her fourth two-year term as RNC chair last year, McDaniel faced criticism over fundraising and the party’s electoral performance.
With Trump’s endorsement, McDaniel, formerly known as Ronna Romney McDaniel, assumed the role of RNC chair, having dropped her middle name upon Trump’s request, according to multiple news sources.