Washington, D.C. – Ronna McDaniel announced on Monday her decision to step down as the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee next month, following former President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of a new leadership team for the party.
Less than two weeks after Trump endorsed North Carolina GOP chairman Michael Whatley to succeed her, McDaniel revealed her plans to resign. The decision was first reported by The New York Times.
In her statement, McDaniel expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as chairwoman for seven years. She highlighted some of her proudest accomplishments, including winning the popular vote in 2022 and launching initiatives such as the Election Integrity Department and Bank Your Vote.
McDaniel shared her intention to step aside during the Spring Training event in Houston on March 8 to allow the party’s nominee to select a new chair. Trump had hand-picked McDaniel to lead the RNC after the 2016 election, and she was re-elected to a fourth term in January 2023.
Criticism of McDaniel’s leadership intensified after the party’s losses in the 2022 midterms. Grassroots activists and conservative influencers questioned her handling of party finances and grassroots efforts. The RNC also faced financial challenges, with significantly less funding than the Democratic National Committee.
Calls for change within the RNC grew as Trump’s legal challenges mounted. Speculation arose about the party’s role in covering Trump’s legal expenses as he faced prosecution in multiple jurisdictions. Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law, clarified that the RNC would not use party funds for Trump-related legal bills.
Despite the challenges, McDaniel worked to rally support around Trump as the party’s eventual nominee. However, a resolution declaring Trump the party’s presumptive nominee was later scrapped after pushback from Trump himself.
As the RNC prepares for its winter meetings, divisions within the party continue to surface. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley criticized the party’s handling of the nomination process, suggesting it was not operating as an honest broker.
The RNC faces a period of transition as new leadership steps in to address the party’s challenges and navigate the shifting political landscape.