Ronna McDaniel Announces She Will Step Down As RNC Chair

(DailyDig.com) – On February 26, Ronna McDaniel, 50, made the announcement that she would stand down from her position as chairperson of the Republican National Committee (RNC) next week. She has held this position for the last seven years.

She said in her statement that she will turn over the chairmanship choice to whoever the nominee for their party is. Her departure date will be March 8, after the Super Tuesday primaries. By then, it should be clear who will be the presumed nominee. She added that the March 8 spring training in Houston will allow the nominee to choose who they want to lead the RNC.

McDaniel said her decision came after former President Trump endorsed Michael Whatley, the Republican Party chairperson of North Carolina, to be the new RNC chair. It also came after the former president’s victory in the primary in South Carolina over the state’s previous governor, Nikki Haley.

Trump has also named Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, as his choice for the co-chair of the RNC. Chris LaCivita, Trump’s campaign aide, has been named as his choice for the chief operating officer of the RNC.

The RNC spring training elections will allow Trump to influence the party’s goals and vision. The Republican base voters remain solidly behind Trump as their choice to return to the presidency for another four-year term. This support remains in spite of the many civil and criminal charges brought against him over the last few years, per the news media.

The RNC must give formal backing for any leadership changes. The 168 members are likely to give their backing to Trump’s choice since he looks almost certain to be their nominee.

Trump initially backed McDaniel after his 2016 election, as her help in winning Michigan impressed him. But over the last few years, criticism of her ability to lead the RNC increased after the party’s finances were mishandled and the losses of votes in elections from 2020 through 2022, which saw governorships and Senate seat losses for the Republicans, according to news reports.