McDaniel wins another term as RNC chair

by mcardinal

Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News

Late last week, the Republican National Committee gave Ronna McDaniel two more years as chairwoman, electing her to the position for a fourth time. 

As reported by Reuters, McDaniel outpaced challenger Harmeet Dhillon 111-to-51 in a committee vote that occurred in Dana Point, California. 

Drew McKissick of South Carolina (co-chair), K.C. Crosby of Kentucky (treasurer), and Vicki Drummond of Alabama (secretary) were elected alongside McDaniel. 

“This week proved that Republicans can come together, hash out our differences, and emerge stronger than ever,” McDaniel, McKissick, Crosby, and Drummond said in a joint statement. “The RNC is going to be working every day to make sure the GOP takes back the Senate and White House in 2024.”

For a time, it seemed like the GOP was far from copacetic. In the wake of a worse-than-expected showing in the midterms, there were calls for changes in leadership across the party. 

Indeed, Dhillon banked on the lackluster midterms and President Donald Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in 2020 as grounds to supplant McDaniel as committee chair. 

“It is critical for our chances in 2024 that those who supported my campaign rally around our party and its candidates,” Reuters quoted Dhillon as saying. 

On Twitter, Dhillon wrote, “It’s been an honor to hear from all the Americans who reached out to share their views about the party’s leadership. While we are disappointed with the results, we started a movement & I will keep working to elect Republicans nationwide!!”

McDaniel owes her victory at least in part to Trump, whose endorsement still carries immense sway in party circles. 

“Congratulations to Ronna McDaniel on her big WIN as RNC CHAIR,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Now we have to STOP THE DEMOCRATS FROM CHEATING IN ELECTIONS!”

Whatever work McDaniel will accomplish in her capacity as chairwoman will have to happen relatively quickly. 

RNC chair terms are just two years and McDaniel has already announced she will not seek reelection. 

“This is my last term as chair. I’m saying it on Fox News. It’s done,” Fox News quoted McDaniel as saying. 

It’s easy to undersell the importance of the RNC. While individual Republicans capture far more attention than the likes of McDaniel, the national committee is a key cog in the party’s effort to establish its platform and brand, and to fundraise. 

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