Is another Trump being prepped to take a leadership role in the Republican party on the national stage? Rumors have been swirling for weeks about who will lead the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Republicans have struggled in key national elections since before former President Donald Trump lost his reelection bid in 2020. The GOP suffered key losses in the 2022 midterm elections. The losses followed failed bids to maintain control of the House in 2018 and the White House and Senate after the 2020 elections.
The common denominator throughout the GOP’s recent struggles has been leadership at the RNC. Ronna McDaniel has served as Chairwoman of the RNC since elected in 2017. Her tenure will end on March 8 after she announced her resignation.
From the Washington Examiner:
“I have decided to step aside at our spring training on March 8 in Houston to allow our nominee to select a chair of their choosing,” McDaniel said in a statement.The next RNC meeting in Houston, Texas, at the end of next week is set to be the venue where the new RNC chairperson is elected by members.
McDaniel’s departure will follow the March 5 Super Tuesday primaries. Her sendoff appeared to be spurred by a lack of faith from Donald Trump earlier this month.
Trump was correct when he recently predicted that McDaniel would step down after the South Carolina primary. Trump overwhelmingly defeated the last GOP challenger, Nikki Haley, and hasn’t lost a primary or caucus this year.
Trump has stated that he would support North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley for chairman to replace McDaniel. In his list of changes in RNC leadership, he also included his co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita for committee COO and his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, for co-chairwoman.
Such moves would place another Trump in a national leadership position within the RNC. Lara Trump has been a go-to commentator in conservative circles since her father-in-law was president. She brings an elegant but forceful persona to the media scene that compels conservatives while drawing the ire of liberals.
Whatley praised McDaniel in a statement on Monday and said he is “thankful” for what she has done for the RNC. He stated that her leadership on election integrity, minority outreach, and voter contact “will be felt not only in the 2024 election, but in elections to come.”
McDaniel’s departure comes at a time when current financial support for the RNC has lagged behind past election cycles. The RNC dropped to its lowest level of cash on hand at $8 million at the first of the year, the lowest it’s been in 10 years.
Republicans will have to turn up the heat on fundraising as Democrats are flush with cash and have a steady flow of donations from small and large donors who don’t want Trump anywhere near the White House again.
Key Takeaways:
- Ronna McDaniel announced her resignation as RNC chair and will leave her post on March 8.
- Rumors of her leaving swirled for weeks after Trump publicly said he saw a change coming.
- Another Trump may get an RNC leadership position and have a voice on the national stage.
Source: Washington Examiner
