The chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) plans to stand down beginning next week, paving the way for a slate of Donald Trump loyalists to lead the party in the run-up to the November general elections.
Ronna McDaniel announced her decision to step down just days after the former president endorsed the North Carolina Republican party chair, Michael Whatley, to lead the RNC; his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to be its co-chair; and his close campaign aide Chris LaCivita as the party’s chief operating officer.
McDaniel’s decision to step down on 8 March comes less than 48 hours after Trump’s resounding victory in the South Carolina primary over the state’s former governor Nikki Haley, virtually guaranteeing his place as the Republican presidential nominee.
The RNC elections will give Trump an opportunity to underline his influence over the party, adding further pressure on Haley to step aside. Trump’s popularity among the Republican base remains solid, despite facing a slew of criminal and civil legal battles in multiple jurisdictions.