The chair of the Republican National Committee said Monday that she would step down in just over a week, as former President Donald Trump seeks to install a new hand-picked leader for the national party before the general election this fall.
The decision is not a surprise. The chair, Ronna McDaniel, told Trump weeks ago that she planned to leave shortly after the South Carolina primary, which was held Saturday. But she now sets in motion a new election within the party’s official body, where Trump’s preference for chair and co-chair will try to secure enough votes to take over.
Trump has publicly backed Michael Whatley, the chair of the North Carolina Republican Party and the national committee’s general counsel, to replace McDaniel. And he has said that he wants his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to be the next co-chair.
Trump’s remarks on the RNC leadership came in the run-up to the South Carolina primary Saturday, and in anticipation of his tightening his grip on the party. He ended up defeating his main rival, former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, by more than 20 points in her home state.
“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,” McDaniel said in a statement.
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