Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
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The pressure against Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has continued to mount in recent days, and now millionaire pillow magnate Mike Lindell has indicated he will vie to replace the suddenly embattled conservative leader.
Lindell, appearing on former Trump strategist Steve Bannon’s podcast, made the announcement Monday.
“I am 100% running for the RNC Chairman against Ronna McDaniel,” Lindell said.
A quick look at the My Pillow CEO’s Facebook page reveals Lindell tipped his hand Sunday when he shared an article from Newsweek in which journalist Andrew Stanton reviewed the growing calls for McDaniel’s job.
Like former President Donald Trump, McDaniel has faced immense criticism from certain corners of the right after Republicans failed to take the Senate in the midterm elections despite predictions of a “red wave.”
As conservative leaders, strategists, and pundits continue to look for people to blame for an underwhelming performance, McDaniel has found herself in the crosshairs as the likes of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and now Lindell, the latter a longtime friend and supporter of Trump, have become more vocal in their criticism.
“We need to win,” Noem said on Fox’s Sunday Morning Futures. “That’s just the fact. Our kids’ future depends on it. We really all have a responsibility to message what Republican policies bring to this country. I don’t know if a party can continue to lose like we have and keep their jobs.”
Lindell’s sudden announcement led to speculation that he might be running at the behest of Trump, with whom he has been closely allied for years.
In a brief statement to Axios, Lindell said he acted independently and without consulting the former president.
“I did not call him and say, ‘What do you think about this?’” he said. “This is my decision.”
It’s also worth noting that Trump has previously been quite complimentary of McDaniel, who herself has been a frequent target of heavy criticism from the left for her criticism of voting processes in some states.
McDaniel has not yet responded to Lindell’s decision to run against her as of Tuesday morning. Her social media posts have been dedicated to backing Herschel Walker in his bid to represent Georgia in the Senate and the ways in which the RNC has sought to ensure election integrity in Arizona.
Whether or not Lindell ultimately has the popularity to unseat McDaniel, the current chair might face other challengers.
Earlier this month, NBC News reported that Lee Zeldin, who impressed many observers with his better-than-expected showing in the New York governor’s race, was also mulling a run at the position.