‘We Need a Change’: DeSantis Backs Challenger to Ronna McDaniel Ahead of RNC Vote
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is calling for change at the top of the Republican National Committee (RNC). During an interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, DeSantis was asked about his views on the…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is calling for change at the top of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
During an interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, DeSantis was asked about his views on the upcoming RNC leadership election.
He responded, “We’ve had three sub-standard election cycles in a row – ’18, ’20, and ’22 – and I would say of all three of those, ’22 was probably the worst given the political environment of a very unpopular President Biden.”
“Huge majorities of the people think the country is going in the wrong direction,” he continued. “That is an environment that is tailor-made to make big gains in the House and the Senate and state houses all across the country, and yet that didn’t happen, and in fact, we even lost ground in the U.S. Senate.”
He added, “And so, I think we need a change. I think we need to get some new blood in the RNC.”
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RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has faced criticism after Republicans won a narrow majority in the House and lost a seat in the Senate — giving Democrats an expanded majority.
DeSantis praised Harmeet Dillon, an RNC committee member from California who is running against McDaniel, for her idea of moving the party’s headquarters out of Washington, D.C.
“I like what Harmeet Dhillon has said about getting the RNC out of D.C.,” he told Kirk. “Why would you want to have your headquarters in the most Democrat city in America? It is more Democrat than San Francisco is.”
On Friday, the RNC is set to choose from McDaniel, Dillon, and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell to lead the organization.
A candidate must secure more than half of the votes to win. And it could take multiple ballots to choose a new leader.
The Washington Post notes, “McDaniel did not face opposition in her previous reelection bids, making this the first competitive race for chair since she began her tenure.”
“Historically, however, it is not uncommon for there to be many candidates for RNC chair or for the election of a chair at the RNC Winter Meeting to take several ballots,” it added.
Several state Republican Parties, including those in Florida, Arizona, and Texas, have voiced support for ousting McDaniel.