By Illinois Review
On Monday, embattled Republican National Committee Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel announced that she would be resigning on March 8th at the RNC Spring Meeting in Houston, according to the New York Times – officially bringing to an end a tenure marked by election losses and poor fundraising numbers.
Romney-McDaniel, the niece of Never Trumper and U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-UT, is a close friend and ally of Illinois Republican Party chair Don Tracy and RNC national committeeman Richard Porter, and she appeared at an IL GOP fundraiser just last month where she received a mediocre applause from the crowd during her introduction to the stage. Sources also confirmed with this publication that the RNC chair did not mention President Donald Trump in her remarks that evening – a point that caught many by surprise.
During her resignation statement, which was shared exclusively with the New York Times, Romney-McDaniel said,
“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.”
Under the leadership of Romney-McDaniel, Democrats have dominated at the national level – defeating Republicans in key races in 2018, 2020 and 2022. Conservative attorney and Townhall columnist Kurt Schlichter summarized her chairmanship in a column, writing,
“Five rounds of elections – three cycles and two Georgia primaries – and not a win among them.”
Romney-McDaniel has also come under fire for reports that showed the RNC spending millions of dollars on private jets, limousines, luxury retreats and Broadway shows since her election as RNC chair in 2017.
Financial records also showed $100,000 being spent for Romney-McDaniel’s hair, makeup and dry cleaning services for her television appearances.
And in the midst of a string of election losses, Romney-McDaniel had her salary increased. In 2017, according to Federal Election Commission reports, her salary was $122,582. In 2020, the year Joe Biden took office and the Democrats regained control of the US Senate, Romney-McDaniel’s salary was $410,640.
And just recently, the RNC reported its worst fundraising year since 2013 – raising only $87 million in 2023 compared to the Democrats who raised $120 million during that same time. So far in 2024, Democrats have $21 million cash on hand, while the Republicans sit with just $8 million.
On February 12th, President Trump released a statement and announced his picks to lead the RNC in a move that was meant to force Romney-McDaniel out.
“The RNC MUST be a good partner in the Presidential election. It must do the work we expect from the national Party and do it flawlessly. That means helping to ensure fair and transparent elections across the country, getting out the vote everywhere – even in parts of the country where it won’t be easy – and working with my campaign, as the Republican presumptive nominee for President, to win this election and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
For these reasons, I think my friend Michael Whatley should be the RNC’s next leader. Michael has been with me from the beginning, has done a great job in his home state of North Carolina, and is committed to election integrity, which we must have to keep fraud out of our election so it can’t be stolen.
My very talented daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, has agreed to run as the RNC Co-Chair. Lara is an extremely talented communicator and is dedicated to all that MAGA stands for. She has told me she wants to accept this challenge and would be GREAT!
I have also asked Chris LaCivita, in whom I have full confidence, to assume the role of, in effect, Chief Operating Officer of the Committee. Chris will manage the RNC’s day-to-day operations so it will become a fighting machine for 2024 and use all the tools available to win for the American people.
This group of three is highly talented, battle-tested, and smart. They have my complete and total endorsement to lead the Republican National Committee.
Every penny will be used properly. New Day.”
Late on Monday, Whatley, the current chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, announced his plan to run for RNC chair, writing,
“I have been truly honored to receive President Trump’s endorsement for this position and I hope to earn your vote as we undertake the crucial work of winning up and down the ballot in 2024.”
In 2022, Whatley was named General Counsel for the RNC, and his focus on election integrity issues caught Trump’s attention and was key to earning the former president’s endorsement for the GOP’s top spot. Whatley also appeared on stage alongside Trump on Saturday night during his South Carolina Primary victory speech, where he praised the NC GOP chair for assembling “hundreds of lawyers” during the 2020 election to stop Democrats from cheating during the election.
“That’s my kind of guy,” Trump said.
“We’re very proud of you and you’re going to do a fantastic job.”
