Republican Party chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announced her resignation on Monday, following weeks of public pressure from Donald Trump, the party’s presumed 2024 presidential nominee.
The action was taken in response to remarks made by former President Trump, who is now leading the party’s presidential nomination contest, that he intended to alter the Republican National Committee (RNC) in order to be ready for what is expected to be a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden 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.
Two weeks ago, Trump endorsed North Carolina Republican Party Chair Michael Whatley as the next RNC chair and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as co-chair, moving to cement his grip over the organization as he closed in on the 2024 presidential nomination.
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.
Trump, shortly after he won the 2016 election, had endorsed McDaniel — the niece of his former critic and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney — to take over the RNC.
