Failure is not fatal, but failing to adjust could be, as a great college coach once said. Republicans’ political options after the 2022 election are directly impacted by this.
For the Texas Republican Party, the midterm elections were a success. In addition to winning every statewide contest by double digits, the GOP increased its dominance in the state legislature.
The news wasn’t all positive, though. Republicans outperformed the state overall, but we lagged in South Texas, where the Republican National Committee (RNC) concentrated its election efforts. In places where the RNC had significant investments, disappointments were common across the country.
The RNC has performed various significant functions throughout history. It creates and advances a platform that will help Republican candidates win. It plans and runs the Republican National Convention, where the party’s presidential nominee is chosen. Additionally, it oversees the party’s fundraising and strategic planning, which helps support election campaigns.
I am a member of the RNC in addition to being the chair of the Texas Republican Party. I must secure RNC success in Texas and the rest of the country to fulfill my dual responsibility. For this reason, I have made the challenging but essential choice to urge Ronna Romney McDaniel to withdraw her candidacy for reelection as chair of the RNC.
Within the RNC, Ronna enjoys a good reputation and is held in high regard. However, it is clear that a change is needed given the disparate results in Texas and the Republicans’ poor performance nationally in an election that was predicted to be a Republican wave.
It seems sensible to remove the coach and try a fresh strategy when a football team is predicted to go 16-0 but only manages to finish 8-8. The RNC has consistently produced underwhelming results despite keeping the same coach in place, not just in the election they were predicted to win with ease. Ronna was initially chosen in 2017 and has subsequently been chosen twice more.
We have continuously lost contests that could have been won, watched as necessary funds were diverted to opulent uses, and used consultants who lacked a strong understanding of how to connect with voters, like in South Texas, which is regrettable.
The RNC needs a new coach, and Harmeet Dhillon is the ideal applicant given his track record.
Beyond remarkable is Harmeet. She is a well-known authority on the election and constitutional law, a fearless defender of conservative principles, and an accomplished lawyer with a successful track record.
She has battled the progressives who reject our vision of limited government, low taxes, cutbacks in spending, and increased freedom with Republican committees and candidates. Most of all, Harmeet inspires me with her boundless energy, keen perspective, and positive attitude.
The RNC needs these traits to be the successful team I know it can be. I am happy to support Harmeet Dhillon for RNC Chair because of this.
