Missouri conservatives are calling on the state’s GOP to take a stand against Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel whom they allege has engaged in wasteful spending.
“We need a party in this state that's going to fight for America first and Missouri first principles,” said Byron Keelin, president of the Freedom Principle MO, a Missouri first 501(c)4. “Ronna McDaniel didn't stand up to Mitch McConnell and demand that he support Blake Masters, Herschel Walker, or Dr. Oz but he actively supported Murkowski in Alaska over the GOP nominee for Senator.”
Alaskan incumbent Lisa Murkowski won re-election to the U.S. Senate in the November mid-terms. In her previous term, she voted to convict the former U.S. Pres. Donald Trump at his impeachment trial last year.
“It’s Mike Lindell, who's running to replace McDaniel, who is funding Kari Lake's trial lawyers,” Keelin said. “Where is the RNC? Why are they not funding Kari Lake's lawsuit against Katie Hobbs and this Arizona illegal gubernatorial election? She’ll stand there for a photo opportunity and then abandon these candidates. We need to expose this corruption.”
Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, and California Attorney Harmeet Dhillon are campaigning to replace McDaniel as RNC Chair after a 2022 spending report exposed by Redstate.com showed that McDaniel has misused $2.4 million in donor contributions on $500,000 private jet trips, a $64,000 clothing alliance, and $321,000 for floral arrangements, according to media reports.
“I think the illegal use of campaign donor funds should be grounds for dismissal automatically,” Keelin said. “That’s the reason we're asking the Missouri GOP to hold her accountable.”
Arizona and Texas issued votes of no confidence and issued resolutions formally calling for McDaniel’s resignation in early December. The Nebraska Republican Chairman has also joined the call for her resignation. However, Keelin isn’t confident that officers of the Missouri GOP will do the same.
“They are pure establishment,” Keelin said. “There are a few good conservative fighters on the state GOP but for the most part, they don't view this as a problem. The issue we're facing is complacency."
Nick Myers was elected chair of the Missouri GOP last year however he faces competition from Pat Thomas, who is Sen. Lincoln Hough's (R-Springfield) chief of staff.
“Nick is in a fight for state chair against a Republican in Name Only (RINO) who is backed by Gov. Parson,” Keelin added. “Lincoln Hough is the most liberal Republican senator in the state. I've heard Nick is a really good guy, but he's not one that's going to come out fighting either.”