Republican Party leader to step down after pressure from Trump

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel speaks to the audience at the third Republican candidates’ presidential debate in Miami, Florida, November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar/file photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republican Party chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said on Monday she was leaving the job, after weeks of public pressure from the party’s likely 2024 presidential candidate, Donald Trump.

The move came after former President Trump, the frontrunner for the party’s presidential nomination, indicated he wanted to make changes to the Republican National Committee (RNC) as he prepares for a likely rematch with President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in November.

“The RNC has historically undergone change once we have a nominee and it has always been my intention to honor that tradition. I remain committed to winning back the White House and electing Republicans up and down the ballot in November,” McDaniel said in a statement.

She thanked Trump and said the move would be effective March 8 to allow the Republican nominee to choose the chair.

Fifteen states and one U.S. territory will hold Republican nominating contests on Super Tuesday, which falls on March 5 this year.

RNC co-chair Drew McKissick also said he would step down.

Whoever replaces McDaniel will face the challenge of unifying a fractured party with just nine months to go before the 2024 election.

The RNC plays a critical role in raising money for the nominee, promoting the party’s message, marshalling resources and turning out voters.

After a meeting with McDaniel early this month, Trump wrote on social media that he would be pushing for changes at the RNC after South Carolina’s Feb. 24 primary, which he won handily on Saturday.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Bernadette Baum)