Lee Zeldin Bows Out of RNC Chair Fight, Urges McDaniel to Step Aside

After a failed ‘Red Wave’ in the 2022 midterm elections, the GOP base was looking for new blood to lead the RNC. Lee Zeldin was seriously considering a run against Ronna McDaniel for the chair but announced Wednesday morning that he is not running.

Zeldin released a statement that announced that he would not be running and slammed Ronna McDaniel for even considering a fourth term.

“I won’t be running for RNC chair at this time with McDaniel’s reelection pre-baked by design, but that doesn’t mean she should even be running again,” the statement read.

Zeldin highlighted the frustration being felt by Republican voters as the GOP continually mishandles and sometimes outright screws up policy, messaging, and elections.

“The grassroots is frustrated, deflated, and defeated,” he wrote. “They are tired of coming up short like what happened again just yesterday.”

“However, by design, there are massive barriers to avoid a change in leadership,” he added.

Zeldin then pleaded for McDaniel to not run for a fourth term as RNC chair, a pledge she made earlier, and allow new leadership to take the helm as the party heads into the 2024 election.

“The better path forward would be for Chairwoman McDaniel to listen to and respect the wishes of the actual grassroots voters of our party, and allow the RNC to forge ahead with new leadership,” Zeldin urged. “Her greatest service to the Republican Party at this time would be to make room for a new Chair.”