Trump-linked lawyer Harmeet Dhillon weighing bid to replace McDaniel as RNC chair
McDaniel running for third term as RNC chairwoman
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}EXCLUSIVE – Harmeet Dhillon, a GOP lawyer with close ties to former President Donald Trump, is weighing a run for chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Dhillon, who serves as an RNC national committee chairwoman from California, could announce her decision as early as this week, and is scheduled to appear on "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on Monday evening.
"Grassroots Republicans, donors and fellow RNC members alike have been reaching out to me since the midterm elections seeking changes in Republican leadership," Dhillon told Fox News Digital. "After successive disappointing election cycles, I believe we owe it to our voters to have an honest dialogue about the direction of our party and what needs to change for us to win in 2024."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TUNE IN: HARMEET DHILLON TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL RUN FOR RNC CHAIR ON ‘TUCKER CARLSON TONIGHT,’ MONDAY NIGHT AT 8 PM ET ON FOX NEWS CHANNEL
Dhillon's prospective candidacy comes as incumbent RNC chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel has already announced her bid for a third term. McDaniel, a former chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, says she already has the support of several high-profile state GOP chairmen.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Incumbent RNC chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel has already announced her bid for a third term. (Credit: RNC)
The election for chair is decided by a majority vote of the committee's 168 members, including state GOP chairmen and national committeemen. McDaniel already has the support of at least 100 RNC members, according to an endorsement letter circulated in recent weeks.
"From finding a new and fair platform for our nominee to debate, to ensuring a successful nominating process, to putting on a convention for the next President of the United States, the RNC needs a proven leader," said David Bossie, an RNC committee member from Maryland. "A proven leader who understands that a healthy national party starts from the grassroots up. Ronna McDaniel is the leader we need."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A vote is expected to take place in January when the RNC holds its winter meeting. Dhillon said she started weighing a run after Republicans came up short in this year's midterm elections.
Harmeet Dhillon, who serves as an RNC national committee chairwoman from California, is likely to announce her candidacy later this week. (Reuters)
Republicans were seen as favorites to capture control of both chambers of Congress and several high-profile governorships given President Biden's low approval rating and 40-year high inflation. Despite the environment, the anticipated GOP wave failed to materialize, although Republicans did narrowly flip the House of Representatives.
"Americans are seriously suffering, and Republicans can only help if we win," said Dhillon. "I hope that we can unite as an RNC after hearing from actual Republican voters that they want – and demand – change, and I’m seriously considering stepping up to that leadership challenge."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Outgoing GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin, who lost a bid for governor of New York this year, has been publicly exploring a bid for RNC chair. (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo)
Dhillon is not the only candidate weighing a run for RNC chair. Outgoing GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin, who lost a bid for governor of New York this year, has been publicly exploring a bid for weeks. Zeldin is expected to announce his plans later this week.
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Controversial MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who has come under fire in recent months for claiming the 2020 election was stolen, announced his candidacy for the post last week.