DANA POINT, Calif. — Rona McDaniel won re-election to a fourth term as Republican. National Committee chairman on Friday. Besting rival challenger Harmeet Dhillon in a secret ballot. Vote at the party’s annual winter meeting.
McDaniel won the required majority of 168 votes, compared to 111 for Dhillon. Four for MyPilo founder Mike Lindell and one for former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., who was not a candidate.
McDaniel is now on track to become the longest-serving GOP chair since the 19th century. He called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to fend. Off Republicans’ leadership challenges. After their disappointing performance in the November midterm elections. And joined by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
The contest was a foregone conclusion for months.
McDaniel released an endorsement from more than 100 of the RNC’s 168 members shortly. After the midterms — support that prompted Zeldin to decide not to launch his own bid to lead the RNC.
But with the vote held by secret ballot, and Dhillon’s aggressive campaign arguing. That McDaniel should not be re-elected after the GOP defections in November. Members did not rule Dhillon out before the vote. , about 30 RNC members had committed to Dhillon before the ballot.
Lindell, a leading election conspirator. Launched a long-shot bid but never gained much momentum.
McDaniel’s supporters argued that he was best positioned to lead. The party because of his allocation of resources. And strong working relationships with state party leadership.
After the list was announced, McDaniel, Dhillon. And Lindell appeared on stage together in a show of unity. In a statement, McDaniel said he was “grateful. That our members have entrusted me with another term in this role.”
“I look forward to working with conservative.
Leaders from across our party, including Harmit and Mike. To deliver on our promises to the American people,” he said.
Even with McDaniel as the next chair, many RNC members said they expect the tension to continue.
“After it’s over tomorrow, it’s not over,” said Jonathan Barnett. An RNC committeeman in Arkansas who endorsed Dhillon to lead the party before the vote. “It’s going to take some time to rebuild something, and Harmit still has a strong voice. Not all us supporting Harmeet are going away.
Speaking to reporters after the vote. Dhillon said he was “disappointed” in the results. But reiterated his commitment to put his defeat behind him. And work with McDaniel to advance Republican causes.
But he said the party “has to deal with that fallout of disconnection with the grassroots.” He added that he believes some members “are going to feel a little different [about their vote]. When they go back home, especially if they come from a state or a county, that supports change in the RNC.” Voted.”
Some Dhillon supporters shared their displeasure with the vote.
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, tweeted. Club is from the people begging them for donations.”
“There is a club of consultants who make insane $$ from your donations. And now they are proud of how they can deny 90% of parties who want to see change,” he added.
The chair vote was not the only order of business for the party on Friday. The RNC approved a package of nine resolutions in a voice vote Friday. Resolutions include condemning anti-Semitism. Opposing ranked-choice voting, calling for President Joe Biden to be held. Accountable for his administration’s handling of the US border with Mexico. And pushing to “stop” operating any “Chinese police stations” in the US. The given was included. The country and to discourage. The use of TikTok — including encouraging the federal government to ban its use on devices.
The anti-Semitic proposal called out hip-hop artist Kanye West. And white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Who had dinner with former President Donald Trump late last year, as well as Reps. Cory Bush, D-Mo., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Talib, D-Mich.
Oscar Brock, a Dhillon supporter.
Said he will continue to push for more party transparency. After the election and is committed to working with McDaniel moving forward.
“He’s not a bad person,” he said. “I mean, he’s not bad. I wanted to win more elections.”
Looking ahead to 2024, Brock said the RNC has the “ability to get on track,” but whether the party. Will remains an open question.
As for his message to voters back home, Brock said: “We did everything in our power to get people to vote for change.”
“And at the end of the day, we didn’t win,” he said. “So, it happens.”
