After All the Sound and Fury, Harmeet Dillion’s RNC Leadership Challenge Ends With a Whimper
- The Sikh American and the My Pillow Guy, both fierce Trump acolytes, lose to the incumbent and the official Trump loyalist, Ronna McDaniel.
California attorney Harmeet Dhillon, whose firm represents Trump, failed to garner the required votes to be elected chair of the Republican National Committee. Ronna McDaniel l, whom Donald Trump tapped as RNC chair in 2016, won the secret ballot vote 111 to 51. luxurious seaside Waldorf Astoria resort here in Dana Point, Calif.
The longtime conservative activist, currently a national committeewoman of the RNC for California, waged a contentious campaign against the incumbent, calling for a change in the party’s leadership. The Sikh American, who had shrill backing from Fox News, also alleged that she faced bigoted attacks from her fellow party leaders because of her Sikh faith.
Her campaign fell short despite a last-minute push by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In a Jan. 26 interview with Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative Turning Point USA, De Santis said, “I think we need to get some new blood in the RNC.” He said he “liked” what Dhillon has said about getting the RNC out of D.C. Why would you want to have your headquarters in the most Democrat city in America? It’s more Democrat than San Francisco is.”
Earlier this month, a group of GOP megadonors supporting Dhillon’s bid for RNC chair sent a letter to members noting that the party could become “irrelevant” unless it comes together and supports a change of leadership. “The perception amongst a growing number of Republican Party donors and activists is that the RNC needs fresh leadership in order to make the necessary changes to win elections.” They urged the RNC members to rally behind Dhillon to replace McDaniel.
“We are calling on members of the RNC to thank Ronna McDaniel for her service and to support the only RNC member seeking to succeed her, Harmeet Dhillon — a bold visionary with the energy and experience to retool the party for success in 2024 and beyond.”
The New York Times noted that “Dhillon also persuaded state-level party organizations to get involved. She earned endorsements last weekend from state parties in Washington and Nebraska. The election was held at Waldorf Astoria resort in Dana Point, Calif.