Toni Anne Dashiell, Texas’ Republican National Committeewoman, seems poised to defy the Texas GOP, supporting RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel despite intense opposition from the party’s grassroots about her re-election.
First elected to the position in 2017, McDaniel has been under fire for the last several weeks after overseeing an underwhelming midterm election cycle in November.
Last weekend, the State Republican Executive Committee—the party’s governing board—unanimously approved a resolution calling for new leadership in the national party.
“The grassroots have lost faith in Chairwoman McDaniel and the RNC and believes the party needs new leadership that will address deficiencies in fundraising, messaging, [get out the vote efforts], and election integrity and put the party in closer alignment with its grassroots supporters and voters,” the resolution reads.
That resolution was directed at the three Texas members of the RNC who will have the chance to vote next January: Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi, RNC Committeeman Robin Armstrong, and RNC Committeewoman Toni Anne Dashiell.
Currently, McDaniel is being challenged by RNC Committeewoman Harmeet Dhillon, as well as MyPillow founder Mike Lindell.
Rinaldi had previously endorsed New York Congressman Lee Zeldin for the position, before Zeldin took his name out of consideration. He has now endorsed Dhillon.
Armstrong told Texas Scorecard he also is endorsing Dhillon and would try to help her get elected.
“It is currently an uphill battle because Ronna has 107 supporters who have signed to vote for her. She needs 85 votes to win,” explained Armstrong, while noting that some of McDaniel’s support may be “soft” and willing to change their vote.
“We shall see,” Armstrong added.
Dashiell, meanwhile, has been an outspoken advocate for McDaniel. In a recent op-ed for The Daily Caller, Dashiell called her “essential to the GOP’s future success.”
“With Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel at the helm in 2024, I am confident our grassroots will continue to be uplifted, our Party will continue to grow, and we will continue to see historic gains in Texas and across the country,” said Dashiell.
She did not comment on whether the Texas GOP’s unanimous objection to McDaniel would influence her decision.
The RNC will elect its next chair when they meet in January.
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