McDaniel Stepping Down As RNC Chair March 8

On Monday morning, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announced her resignation to take effect on March 8. Her official departure will come the week of the critical Super Tuesday GOP primary elections. She has been the longest-serving RNC leader since the Civil War, serving seven years. McDaniel has faced increasing scrutiny over the last two years over concerns about the RNC’s direction and financial management. Mixed electoral results for Republican candidates in 2018, 2020 and 2022 have also troubled her tenure.

McDaniel’s critics have pointed to lavish expenditures and diminishing grassroots support as indicators of a need for change. Once a powerhouse of political funding, the RNC reported having just $8 million on hand at the end of December, marking a significant decrease from previous years and underscoring challenges in rallying financial support.

In her statement, McDaniel expressed her profound honor in leading the RNC, highlighting achievements such as the creation of the Election Integrity Department, the establishment of a grassroots donor program, and efforts to expand the party through minority outreach. 

McDaniel said it had been “the honor and privilege of my life to serve the Republican National Committee for seven years as chairwoman to elect Republicans and grow our party.” She cited “firing Nancy Pelosi” as her proudest accomplishment.

“The RNC has historically undergone change once we have a nominee and it has always been my intention to honor that tradition,” she added.

President Donald Trump, who initially selected McDaniel for the RNC chairmanship following his 2016 election victory, has hinted at the need for new leadership. 

“I think she knows that, I think she understands that,” Trump recently told Newsmax when he was asked about the possibility McDaniel would resign after less-than-expected results in the last three major election years. Earlier this month, he told Fox News that McDaniel “did great when she ran Michigan for me” and “she did OK initially in the RNC.” However, he added, “I would say right now there’ll probably be some changes made.”

President Trump has already thrown his support behind Michael Whatley, the current North Carolina GOP Chair, to succeed McDaniel. This endorsement aligns with Trump’s strategic vision for the party as it navigates the complexities of the upcoming 2024 presidential race. Trump’s preferences extend beyond the chairmanship, as he has also endorsed his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as RNC co-chair.

As the RNC prepares for a new chapter, questions loom about the future trajectory of the party and its strategies heading into a crucial election cycle. McDaniel’s resignation represents not just a personal decision but a pivotal moment for the GOP as it seeks to reconcile internal divisions and build a unified front ahead of 2024. The forthcoming spring meeting in Houston, where McDaniel will officially step aside, is poised to be a critical juncture in this year’s election cycle.