Mike Lindell Rules Himself Out of Replacing Ronna McDaniel as RNC Chair

Mike Lindell has confirmed he will not move to replace Ronna McDaniel as the chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC).

Speaking to Newsweek, the MyPillow CEO said he would not run for the role amid multiple reports McDaniel is stepping down after weeks of criticism.

The New York Times first cited anonymous sources who said the Republican told former president and GOP frontrunner Donald Trump she would step down after the South Carolina primary later this month. McDaniel herself has not confirmed the report.

"Nothing has changed. This will be decided after South Carolina," RNC spokesperson Keith Schipper told Newsweek.

Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow and a Trump ally, ran to be the RNC chair in 2023 but received four votes.

But he told Newsweek he would not run again: "I am not running as I have to finish my efforts to get this country to paper ballots hand counted!" he said via text message. "The RNC should pick anyone that the election platforms are their main focus! Julianne Murray (chairwoman of Delaware) would be the best pick for the RNC chair."

Lindell was referring to his fight against electronic voting machines which he has in the past claimed can be used to commit voter fraud. Last year, he said he was creating "wireless monitoring devices" designed to detect internet connectivity in voting machines.

Meanwhile, Lindell's decision regarding the RNC chair role marks a change from his previous enthusiasm for the position. In November, he indicated he was still "100 percent" keen on the role in an interview with Trump's former chief strategist, Steve Bannon.

Another Republican figure who has ruled herself out of the race is Harmeet Dhillon, who ran against McDaniel in 2023.

Dhillon, the former vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party, and a national committeewoman of the Republican National Committee for California, said on X, formerly Twitter: "Each version of RNC Game of Thrones I hear is worse than the last one.

"To be clear, I'm not seeking the chair position. We had an election, I lost, shook the victor's hand, and offered my support. But there are plenty of folks gunning for it. Happy where I am. I love the law!"

Those still rumored to be up for the position include North Carolina Republican committee member Michael Whatley, who Trump previously endorsed as chairman in 2023, before he dropped out of the race.

Update 2/7/24, 10:57 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information.