Photo from: Gage Skidmore
By: Freda Donnelly @shesbasedbabe
Ronna McDaniel has announced she will be stepping down as chairman of the Republican National Committee this coming spring, having served the Republican Party in this role since 2017. McDaniel initially garnered praise for broadening the Party’s base of support to further include women, minorities, and younger voters and for overseeing efforts to modernize the RNC’s outreach strategy to better include social media amongst additional digital strategies. However, she has come under fire in recent years from all sides of the Party. On February 6, 2024, she stated that she plans to step down in particular as a response to pressure from President Donald Trump, the likely incoming primary candidate. Trump’s opinion is key as he was the one who, in December 2016, tapped Ronna Romney McDaniel to run the Republican National Committee and suggested she drop the Romney part of her name. Trump’s vote of no confidence likely stems from the Republican Party’s losses of the presidency, control of the Senate, and almost a fifth of governorships, as well as the Party’s struggle to hold onto a majority of the House since her installation as RNC chairman.
Ronna McDaniel Clouded by Controversy
Optics caused McDaniel to drop “Romney” from her name, as it suggested a political alignment with her uncle, Utah Senator Mitt Romney. Nevertheless, as the chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), Ronna McDaniel has faced scrutiny and challenges due to her family ties, which entail an association with the establishment wing of the Party. This association raised concerns among some conservatives, particularly supporters of former President Donald Trump. Additionally, her connection to the Romney family had the potential to exacerbate intra-party tensions and alienate segments of the Republican base, who view her background as indicative of elitism or privilege.
In addition to dropping the Romney name, McDaniel further distanced herself from the family in January 2019, when she publicly criticized an editorial Senator Romney penned for The Washington Post criticizing President Trump’s moral character. McDaniel said the editorial by her uncle, “an incoming Republican freshman senator,” “feeds into what the Democrats and mainstream media want,” and was “disappointing and unproductive.”
Regardless, critics have continued to question Ronna McDaniel’s ideological alignment and loyalty, fearing potential conflicts of interest or biases in her leadership of the RNC. Despite her leadership abilities, McDaniel’s association with the Romney name may have hindered her efforts to navigate the complex and factionalized landscape of the Republican Party. However, she has also hindered her own efforts, as can be seen throughout her tenuous tenure.
McDaniel’s predecessor as RNC chairman, Reince Priebus, published a plan called “Principles for American Renewal” in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, which laid out 11 goals of the Republican Party. McDaniel, conversely, appeared to lack a clear strategic plan for winning elections. This lack of focus led to costly missteps. One such example came in 2021 when she announced the creation of the RNC Pride Coalition in coordination with the Log Cabin Republicans, a group of LGBTQ Republicans. Many conservatives were taken aback by this move due both to how it was communicated and its contradiction of the longstanding religious values many on the Right hold. Following the backlash, McDaniel apologized for not communicating the initiative prior to the announcement and clarified that the Pride Coalition would not change the GOP’s position on same-sex marriage. She further stated, “The initiative was not advocating for any policy issue or change to the platform.”
Marred by Mismanagement
Whether compared with the DNC or the tenure of her predecessor, Reince Priebus (2011-2017), it is easy to see why Ronna McDaniel is viewed as coming up short. It’s simply because she has. Under McDaniel’s leadership, the Republican Party’s monthly fundraising is only half of what the Democrats are bringing in.
The Democratic National Committee is reported to have raised approximately $30 million more than the Republican National Committee in 2023 leading up to the 2024 election cycle, while the RNC was paying McDaniel $400,000 for the privilege. As of the most recent filings, the DNC is currently at $119,873,736, while the Republican National Committee lags behind at $87,209,681.
In comparison to McDaniel, Priebus helped to significantly bolster the RNC’s finances during his tenure. His fundraising prowess was often cited as one of his key strengths as RNC chairman, and his efforts played a crucial role in bolstering Republican candidates and Party infrastructure during his tenure. During McDaniel’s tenure, on the other hand, there have been some fundraising victories, but they were overshadowed by the lack of wins delivered with that money. In addition, she has misallocated funds in local elections, leading to losses in three election cycles.
These steep losses experienced by the Republican Party under her tenure constitute another issue that mars her legacy. During the crucial period from 2018 to 2020, the Republican Party faced significant electoral challenges across various races, from congressional battles to statewide contests. Notable losses during this timeframe included the 2018 midterm elections, in which Democrats secured control of the House of Representatives, flipping more than 40 seats and dealing a blow to Republican dominance. Additionally, special elections and off-year contests saw Democrats making gains in traditionally Republican strongholds, signaling a shifting political landscape. The 2020 presidential election further underscored Republican setbacks, with Democratic challenger Joe Biden defeating incumbent President Donald Trump. Concurrently, Democrats retained control of the House and clinched a slim majority in the Senate following pivotal runoff elections in Georgia. These electoral losses prompted soul-searching within the Republican Party, sparking debates over strategy, messaging, and the future direction of the GOP.
In contrast, both Priebus and his predecessor, Michael Steele, presided over successful midterm elections for the Republican Party. Steele saw gains in the 2010 midterms, and Priebus oversaw victories in the 2014 midterms. These electoral victories contributed to their positive legacies within the Party.
After McDaniel won a record fourth term as RNC chairman in 2023, it was expected that she would remain in the job until 2025. However, former President Trump dropped a bomb when he responded to a Newsmax reporter’s question in a televised interview about whether it was time for Ronna McDaniel to step down by responding, “I think she knows that, I think she understands that.” After a two-hour in-person meeting with McDaniel at Mar-a-Lago, Trump followed up with a message on Truth Social in which he stated, “Ronna is now Head of the RNC, and I’ll be making a decision the day after the South Carolina Primary as to my recommendations for RNC Growth.”
RNC Chairman Contenders
Harmeet Dhillon, once a contender for Republican National Committee chairman, stated in a tweet on February 5, 2024, “Each version of RNC Game of Thrones I hear is worse than the last one. To be clear, I’m not seeking the chair position. We had an election, I lost, shook the victor’s hand, and offered my support. But there are plenty of folks gunning for it. Happy where I am. I love the law!” Nevertheless, many are hoping that when Ronna resigns, Dhillon will reevaluate her position.
Dhillon is a prominent attorney, political figure, and conservative commentator based in the United States, as well as a founder of both the Center for American Liberty and Dhillon Law. She has gained recognition for her legal advocacy work, particularly in the areas of civil rights, free speech, and religious liberties. Dhillon has been involved in numerous high-profile cases and has appeared as a commentator on various media outlets to discuss legal and political issues. She currently serves as the National Committeewoman of the Republican National Committee for California, representing the state in the national leadership of the Republican Party. As such, she plays a key role in shaping Party policies and strategies, particularly in California, where she has been active in efforts to expand Republican outreach and engagement.
Before her involvement in politics, Dhillon had a successful legal career as a trial lawyer and litigator. She has represented clients in a wide range of cases, including employment discrimination, defamation, and intellectual property disputes. Dhillon is also the founder and managing partner of the Dhillon Law Group, a law firm based in San Francisco. Her background as an attorney, political leader, and conservative commentator has made her a prominent figure within the Republican Party and the broader Conservative Movement in the United States. She continues to be active in legal advocacy, political commentary, and Party leadership roles. The Republican National Committee would be in good hands should she become the chairman.
Dhillon has previously stated that should she assume this role, Scott Presler would be her first hire, making for a team with hitherto unmatched experience. Presler is a rising star and notable conservative political activist recognized for his impactful grassroots initiatives and community engagement efforts. An Eagle Scout who received the Ronald Reagan Award at CPAC in 2021, he is credited with helping to defeat both Hillary Clinton in her 2016 run for president and Liz Cheney in her bid for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023. In addition to his political activism, Presler has garnered attention for organizing numerous clean-up events across various U.S. cities, tackling issues such as urban blight and homelessness. His dedication to fostering civic responsibility extends to his voter registration drives, where he actively mobilizes volunteers to register conservative-leaning voters and promote civic engagement within underrepresented communities.
As a prominent voice within the Conservative Movement, Presler’s accomplishments underscore his commitment to effecting positive change at the local and national levels. With his demonstrated leadership and advocacy, Presler himself emerges as a potential contender for the role of chairman of the Republican National Committee, poised to bring his grassroots approach and passion for community empowerment to the forefront of the Party’s leadership. Quoting his Twitter bio, his “goal is to make Joe Biden a one-term president.” With either of these individuals as chairman, the Republican National Committee can’t lose.
Ultimately, Ronna McDaniel’s announcement that she will be stepping down signifies the end of a tenure marked by both achievements and challenges. While initially praised for broadening the Party’s base and modernizing outreach strategies, she has since faced criticism and pressures from various factions within the Republican Party. Her departure, clouded by controversy and marred by the Republican Party’s significant electoral losses during her tenure, underscores the complexities of navigating party politics and maintaining unity within a diverse political landscape. As the search for Ronna McDaniel’s successor begins, contenders such as Harmeet Dhillon and Scott Presler emerge, each bringing unique strengths and visions for the future of the Republican Party.
Whether it’s Dhillon’s legal acumen and Party leadership experience or Presler’s grassroots activism and commitment to community engagement, the Republican National Committee faces a pivotal moment in selecting its next leader. With the Party’s future at stake, the choice of the chairman will play a significant role in shaping the direction and priorities of the GOP moving forward. Regardless of the outcome, one thing remains clear: the Republican National Committee must navigate these transitions with a steadfast commitment to its core values and the collective goal of advancing conservative principles in American politics.
Freda Donnelly is the host of Finding the Faith podcast on Rumble and a freelance researcher, writer, and content creator