Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is preparing to step down from her post after the South Carolina primary contest on Feb. 24.
McDaniel, who has held the leadership position longer than anyone in modern politics, is reportedly removing herself from the top party job following a slew of criticism and hints from former President Donald Trump that it’s time for new leadership, according to the New York Times.
Two people familiar with the plans told the New York Times that Trump plans to support promoting Michael Whatley, chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, to replace McDaniel. Although Trump doesn’t have the power to replace anyone at the RNC unilaterally, and a vote must be held for any leadership change, his position as the likely presidential nominee and close to a decade of power in the party gives his preferences weight with the committee.
RNC spokesman Keith Schipper told the Washington Examiner, “Nothing has changed. This will be decided after South Carolina.”
McDaniel has faced years of pressure since she was hand-picked by Trump to lead the RNC in 2017. Since her ascension, the GOP has suffered brutal defeats in 2018 and 2020 and failed to capitalize on a widely expected “red wave” in 2022. The party has also run into financial trouble as the Democratic National Committee continues to boast about record levels of fundraising.
Speculation about a shake-up at the RNC shot up this week when Trump told a Newsmax reporter who asked if it’s “time for Ronna McDaniel to step aside” that “I think she knows that. I think she understands that.”
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On Tuesday, RNC chief of staff Mike Reed told employees he is leaving the committee at the end of the month. Reed said the plan to leave had been in the works for a year.
A fight for new leadership atop the RNC started brewing last year when McDaniel had to fight off another Trump ally who challenged her for the chairwoman position. Harmeet Dhillon, one of Trump’s attorneys, ran a vicious campaign to replace McDaniel, accusing the chairwoman of religious bigotry while claiming she had a direct line to, and control over, Trump.
