Ronna Romney McDaniel tapped as next RNC chair
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Michigan Republican Party Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel was announced as the next chair of the Republican National Committee Wednesday, confirming rumors that have circulated for the last several weeks.
In an announcement from the Republican National Committee, President-elect Donald Trump said he looks forward to having a "highly effective leader" in Romney McDaniel.
"Ronna has been extremely loyal to our movement and her efforts were critical to our tremendous victory in Michigan, and I know she will bring the same passion to the Republican National Committee," Trump said in a statement.
For the time being, Romney McDaniel will be named Deputy Chair of the national party until she is formally elected to assume the chairmanship. Bob Paduchik, who served as the state campaign director in Ohio for the Trump campaign, will be named RNC Deputy Co-Chair.
Current Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus will serve as Trump's chief of staff.
In statements on social media, Romney McDaniel said she was excited to work with other RNC members to maintain Republican victories across the country.
he announcement comes after weeks of speculation that Romney McDaniel could get the post. Politico reported last week that McDaniel was the likely pick, citing two sources familiar with Trump's thinking at the time.
The niece of former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Romney McDaniel has been a public backer of Trump since he won the primary in Michigan and urged Michigan Republicans to unite around the candidate after he won the presidential nomination.
Trump singled McDaniel out for praise during a New York City fundraiser Wednesday, where supporters and donors met for a private thank-you session, according to the Associated Press.
He also gave her a shoutout during his recent appearance in Grand Rapids last week, telling supporters "she didn't sleep for about six months" on his behalf.
Romney McDaniel, who has served as the state party chair since 2015, also coordinated with the Trump campaign to lead the efforts against the statewide recount request initiated by Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. The recount began last week, but was stopped two days after it began following orders from state and federal courts.