RNC Holds Highly Anticipated Leadership Vote
The Republican National Committee held its long-awaited leadership vote on Friday.
Ronna McDaniel won a fourth term to head the Republican National Committee (RNC) during a secret ballot vote by members on Friday.
Ronna McDaniel has led the RNC since being tapped by former President Trump to the role in 2016. However, disappointing midterm results prompted criticism from Republicans across the nation.
McDaniel fended off two challengers — California attorney Harmeet Dhillon and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.
NBC News correspondent Vaugh Hillyard reported McDaniel received 111 votes for RNC chair. Dhillon come in second with 51 votes, while Lindell and former Congressman Lee Zeldin trailed in a distant third and fourth place, receiving four and one votes respectively.
McDaniel, the niece of Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), ran the RNC while Trump was president. She dropped the “Romney” from her name when she became RNC chairwoman in 2017, making her just the second woman to ever hold the position. She is one of the longest-serving RNC chairs ever.
On Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron. DeSantis (R) plunged into the race, saying the RNC needed “new blood” and offering favorable comments for Harmeet Dhillon. (RELATED: DeSantis Dives into RNC Leadership Race)
“I think we need a change, I think we need to get some new blood in the RNC,” DeSantis said in an interview with Florida’s Voice. “I like what Harmeet Dhillon has said about getting the RNC out of D.C. … We need some fresh thinking.”
Dhillon, a California attorney who was a legal adviser for Trump’s 2020 campaign, emerged as a major opponent set to disrupt McDaniel-re-election plans.
Mike Lindell, a staunch Trump supporter and MyPillow CEO, led a disappointing campaign for RNC chair.
Lindell focused his RNC campaign on protecting election “integrity.”