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RNC challenger Harmeet Dhillon’s campaign was forced into an embarrassing U-turn Thursday when he added a photograph of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to his endorsement web page, before promptly removing it.
It came after DeSantis said the Republican National Committee needed new blood after a series of poor election results.
If it sounded like an endorsement of the candidate running against three-term incumbent Ronna McDaniel, Dhillon herself was quick to clarify that it wasn’t.
She has vowed to be a neutral president, if elected, throughout the 2024 nomination process that could pit DeSantis against former President Donald Trump.
Harmeet Dhillon’s campaign added Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to its website’s endorsements page, before promptly removing him. Dhillon has made it clear that she does not want endorsements from potential 2024 candidates in order to remain neutral, if she is elected.
“I don’t call that an endorsement,” he said of DeSantis.
“I call it answering a question and endorsing something in the role of someone saying I wholeheartedly support this person.”
Instead, he has pointed out that close Trump allies have come to California for the RNC meeting to get votes for McDaniel.
Which made the appearance of DeSantis’ photo on his website as an ‘endorsement’ all the more embarrassing. It was quickly removed, but not before a McDaniel supporter took a screenshot and passed it on to DailyMail.com.
Instead, video of his interview with conservative Charlie Kirk was posted on the site… without calling it an endorsement.
The governor of Florida made his feelings clear. He said it was time for a change after three cycles of electoral defeat.
“I think we need a change, I think we need new blood in the RNC,” DeSantis said.
‘I like what Harmeet Dhillon has said about getting the RNC out of DC […] We need fresh ideas.
Harmeet Dhillon is running to remove Ronna McDaniel as president, saying change is needed after several cycles of disappointing election results.
In Dhillon has promised to move from San Francisco to Washington, DC, if elected.
But speaking to reporters on the terrace of the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, Calif., he distanced himself from speaking of an endorsement as part of his pledge to lead a neutral RNC when it comes to the 2024 nominations.
“At the end of the day, we need to assure all potential candidates that this is going to be a fair process,” he said.
‘I know everyone wants to say that they pay lip service. But President Trump’s team is here looking for votes for Ronna.
‘That is a fact that many of you have reported. And I think that speaks for itself.
It’s a reminder of the sour tone of much of the race. Committee members have seen their contact details posted online, generating a flood of messages in favor of one candidate or another.
Now they are preparing to vote on Friday to elect a president for the next two years.
Ron DeSantis’ decision to endorse Harmeet Dhillon for RNC chairmanship sets up a long-distance battle with Donald Trump, whose aides are quietly backing incumbent Ronna McDaniel.
His intervention comes as the 168 members of the RNC gather for their winter meeting in California.
McDaniel’s team is convinced they have the votes to secure a fourth term.
But Dhillon’s supporters say a new way of thinking is needed to make Republicans more competitive in elections.
“We’ve had three poor election cycles in a row: ’18, ’20 and ’22,” DeSantis told Florida’s Voice.
‘And I would say out of the three, ’22 was probably the worst given the political environment of a very unpopular president in Biden.
‘Large majorities of people think that the country is headed in the wrong direction.
‘That’s an environment that is tailor-made for making progress in the House and Senate and state chambers across the country. And yet that did not happen.
In fact, we lost ground in the Senate.
Rooms in Walforf Astoria Monarch Beach, California start at over $820 plus a $55 resort fee and tax per night
DeSantis has yet to reveal his 2024 plans. But he is coming off a landslide victory in his own state last year, and has excited a large wing of the GOP with his culture war credentials and relative youth at the age of 44. .
Dhillon said he appreciated DeSantis’ comments that reflected grassroots sentiment.
“85, 90, 95 percent of the Republicans are supporting a leadership change in the RNC,” he said.
“And I’m sure Governor DeSantis is listening, and frankly, I’m sure every Republican elected official in the country is listening.”
Trump remains the only stated candidate for 2024, reportedly quietly backing McDaniel, whom he helped propel to the top of the RNC.
He cannot comment publicly for fear of upsetting the committee’s neutrality in the nomination process.
But the Associated Press reported that former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway and former chief of staff Reince Priebus will be on McDaniel’s unofficial spanking team.
And aides have quietly made it known that they want McDaniel back for a fourth term.
However, the contest has divided the MAGA world. Kari Lake, who lost her bid to become Arizona governor last year, is campaigning for Dhillon as members gather at a California luxury hotel for the election.
Trump loyalist and conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell has also jumped ship and is running against McDaniel, but has little chance of winning.