Ronna McDaniel calls for GOP to unite in tearful goodbye speech

HOUSTON — Former Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel got weepy Friday as she bid farewell to the RNC, calling on the members to heal divisions within the party.

Ms. McDaniel, who was pushed out of the Republican organization several weeks ago by former President Donald Trump, cautioned the gathering of party officials that the Democrats and their allies will have a “ton of money” and a united front to take on the GOP.

“I think the thing I worry about the most is something we can control, which is our internal cohesion. We want to make sure that we’re united as we head into the next election,” she said.

She said party unity was her goal when she became RNC chair in 2017, and she suggested she didn’t achieve the goal.

“Seven years ago, I talked a lot about unity. I talk about it all the time, you guys hear me, we cannot win if we’re divided,” she said. We can only win through addition. We cannot win through such subtraction.”

Ms. McDaniel said there are “people who are more intent on attacking other Republicans than they attack Joe Biden or the Democrats.”

She called for that to stop and told the story of her mother who ran for Senate in 1994, but her grandfather, former Michigan Gov. George Romney, endorsed her mother’s GOP primary opponent.

“It literally divided my family,” she said. “Think about that. I love my grandfather who lived next door to me.”

Ms. McDaniel said her mother, following her campaign loss, went to a unity breakfast to show support for the party.

Ms. McDaniel had been rapidly losing support in RNC circles despite winning reelection last year, which made her the longest-serving RNC chair in modern history. She was endorsed by Mr. Trump for the post when she took over the RNC in 2017.

Her support eroded as the GOP struggled to raise money and Republicans lost the House in 2018 and the Senate and the White House in 2020. The GOP clawed back control of the House in 2022, but by a slim that defied expectations for a “red wave” election.

Ms. McDaniel also praised her successor, RNC Chair Michael Whatley, and new RNC Co-Chair Lara Trump, who were handpicked by Mr. Trump for the election-year changing of the guard.

“I am rooting so hard for Michael and Lara’s success. And I offer all the help and guidance I can to help ensure that you’re going to succeed in your roles,” Ms. McDaniel said.