Mitt Romney offers kind words for McDaniel amid talk of resignation: 'She's done her best'

Amid reports that Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel plans to step down after the South Carolina Republican Party, Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney has applauded her record in the position.

Reports emerged earlier in the week that McDaniel planned to step down, though outlets varied in asserting the definitive nature of that decision.

McDaniel's uncle, Romney told Politico that he has "nothing but love and affection for my niece," adding that "[s]he's done her best to help elect Republicans and done her job."

She has held the post since 2017 and secured election to a fourth term in early 2023 despite challenges from MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and fellow RNC member Harmeet Dhillon. Since then, however, she has faced mounting criticism of her tenure, including a public rebuke from tech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy, who used his opening statement at a primary debate to call for her resignation.

"Where is the accountability for years of losing: 2018, 2020, 2022 and now 2023? A week ago on the GOP Debate stage, I called on Ronna Romney McDaniel to resign. Now, I'm asking grassroots conservatives across the nation to join me so she can feel the power of the people," Ramaswamy posted on X in November, announcing a "Fire Ronna" campaign.

Former President Donald Trump, for his part, praised his past work with McDaniel during the 2016 election when she served as Michigan GOP chairwoman. 

"In my successful run in 2016, the State of Michigan really came through - First time in Decades that it was won by a Republican, and it was headed up by my friend Ronna McDaniel. Ronna is now Head of the RNC, and I’ll be making a decision the day after the South Carolina Primary as to my recommendations for RNC Growth," Trump said earlier this week.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.