Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of Donald Trump, has officially launched her campaign to become co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC). This marks another significant move in the former president’s influence over the RNC.
Lara Trump penned a letter to the 168 members of the RNC, expressing her pride in securing the endorsement of her father-in-law and the 45th president, Donald J. Trump, for this position. She emphasized her understanding of the fundamental significance of this role.
“I am excited to connect with you, the members of the RNC, in the days ahead and hopefully gain your support,” she expressed.
As part of his comprehensive campaign integration with the RNC for the upcoming general election, Trump has made several key moves. He is endorsing North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley to replace outgoing RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel, while also appointing his senior adviser Chris LaCivita as the committee’s chief operating officer. Whatley, who recently joined Trump on stage during his South Carolina primary victory celebration, officially kicked off his campaign on Monday.
The campaign has started collaborating with the RNC to combine their efforts in different departments, such as fundraising, data, and political outreach. This effectively brings the party apparatus under Trump’s leadership.
In her letter, Lara Trump shared her vision for the committee, focusing on a significant matter close to her father-in-law’s heart – his assertion that the 2020 election was stolen without evidence. She emphasized the committee’s role in developing and implementing a robust election integrity program in key battleground states, aiming to establish the most effective one the Republican Party has ever seen.
According to her, the RNC plans to thoroughly review all of its existing contracts and vendor agreements to determine their usefulness in reclaiming the White House. The committee will prioritize the essential components of winning elections to ensure success in closely contested races.
Ronna McDaniel revealed on Monday her decision to resign from her position in the coming weeks. The Republican National Committee (RNC) plans to conduct its leadership election on March 8 in Houston. During this meeting, candidates vying for the chair and co-chair roles will have to secure a majority of the support from the committee’s 168 members. Given their backing from the widely respected former president, Whatley and Lara Trump are anticipated to emerge victorious. At present, they face no opposition in their bid for leadership positions.
As Trump solidifies his hold on the Republican nomination, his team has been working towards strengthening the party’s unity under his leadership. Despite Trump’s ongoing criticism of Nikki Haley, his main primary opponent, his team has been taking steps to bring the party’s operations together. Recently, Trump convened a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago resort where he discussed House races with House Speaker Mike Johnson and National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson.
LaCivita and Josh Holmes, a top adviser to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have been engaging in back-channel conversations. These discussions involve various matters, including the coordination of Trump’s participation in Senate races. The New York Times initially reported on these conversations.
Some members of the Republican Party are resisting Trump’s attempts to gain control over the RNC. Henry Barbour, an RNC committee member from Mississippi, has put forward two resolutions. These resolutions aim to prevent the committee from using funds to cover Trump’s legal expenses and to ensure that the committee remains neutral until Trump has secured enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee. It remains uncertain whether these non-binding resolutions will garner enough support to be voted on by the entire committee.
Trump advisers have been adamant that RNC funds will not be utilized for covering Trump’s legal expenses.
According to a source familiar with the discussion, the ex-president has recently requested his daughter-in-law to serve as co-chair. Lara Trump, who has been a prominent advocate for her father-in-law, often making appearances on television shows and accompanying him on his campaign events, previously held the role of senior advisor on Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign. During the 2022 midterm elections, there was even a brief mention of her as a potential North Carolina Senate candidate.