It’s Growing: More RNC Members Breaking To Oust Romney McDaniel As Chair

Hank BerrienDecember 19, 2022

More RNC members are coming forward to support Harmeet Dhillon as the next chair of the Republican National Committee, breaking with those who support incumbent Ronna Romney McDaniel, who has presided over numerous GOP election failures.

POLITICO reported on Sunday that since the disastrous results of the November mid-term elections, RNC members have been inundated with emails demanding a change in RNC leadership, and have turned how money has been spent by the RNC for private travel and luxury accommodations, among other expenses. McDaniel would require support from 85 of the 168 RNC members to maintain her position; POLITICO reported she currently has as many as 107 but said Dhillon thinks at least 50 members will back her and expected more to peel off from McDaniel.

Dillon announced her candidacy on December 7, declaring, “Republicans — let’s win this! Please join me in my campaign for new leadership of the RNC. I’m the only member of the RNC stepping up to the challenge. We’ll be rolling out ways that you can help in coming days. All sincere suggestions welcome.”

Republicans — let’s win this! Please join me in my campaign for new leadership of the RNC. I’m the only member of the RNC stepping up to the challenge. We’ll be rolling out ways that you can help in coming days. All sincere suggestions welcome. https://t.co/bwQ5K54mZ8

— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) December 7, 2022

On Sunday, Hawaii RNC member Laura Nakanelua joined the growing number of members turning to Dhillon, writing, “I’ve released a statement endorsing @pnjaban with fellow RNC NCWs @HinzLori and @FanchonBlythe 🇺🇲 The RNC has one job: electing Republicans. After six years under the current leadership, we have fallen short. I believe Harmeet gives us the best chance of winning in 2024.”

I’ve released a statement endorsing @pnjaban with fellow RNC NCWs @HinzLori and @FanchonBlythe 🇺🇲
The RNC has one job: electing Republicans. After six years under the current leadership, we have fallen short. I believe Harmeet gives us the best chance of winning in 2024.

— Laura Nakanelua 🌴 (@lalaviealoha) December 18, 2022

On December 10, the Tennessee GOP’s executive committee voted to change the RNC leadership; RNC delegations from Texas and Arizona have already urged for McDaniel to be replaced, and last week, Nebraska Republican Party Chairman Eric Underwood publicly rescinded his endorsement of McDaniel’s re-election.

Texan Robin Armstrong of the RNC stated, “It is currently an uphill battle because Ronna has 107 supporters who have signed to vote for her. She needs 85 votes to win. There is a question that some of her support is ‘soft’ and may be willing to change their vote. We shall see.”

.@TexasGOP National Committeeman Robin Armstrong announced his support for @pnjaban. pic.twitter.com/uuedNBPnTD

— Jason Vaughn (@JasonVaughn) December 19, 2022

Radio host Mark Levin called for McDaniel to be replaced last week, arguing, “She needs to go. … She needs to be removed.”

Rep. Lee Zeldin, whose gubernatorial campaign in New York led to the election of numerous GOP representatives who helped turn the House Republican, tweeted over the weekend, “It’s time for Ronna McDaniel to step aside as Chair of the Republican National Committee. The GOP needs to move forward with new leadership.”

It’s time for Ronna McDaniel to step aside as Chair of the Republican National Committee. The GOP needs to move forward with new leadership.

— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) December 18, 2022

Attorney and columnist Kurt Schlichter articulated the desire of many to replace McDaniel, saying, “We in the base expect an answer. We’re the people who are knocking doors. We’re the people who make the phone calls. We’re the people who sign the checks.”