Editor’s note: Big Tent Ideas always aims to provide balancing perspectives on the hottest issues of the day. Below is a column endorsing Ronna McDaniel as chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, citing her role in achieving grassroots support in key races across the U.S., especially Texas. A counterpoint column can be found here, where U.S. News and World Report columnist Peter Roff argues that the RNC could be in need of a shake up in its strategy and leadership.
The Republican Party works best when our leaders listen and embrace the grassroots to grow our party and turn out the vote for Republican candidates across the ticket.
As the RNC national committeewoman from Texas, I know firsthand that the investments Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has made over the last three cycles in the Lone Star State have been invaluable to keeping our state red. Without her leadership, we would not be seeing the gains we have worked so hard to achieve. (RELATED: PETER ROFF: It Might Be Time To Shake Things Up At The RNC)
At the very start of the 2022 midterm cycle, the RNC hosted a training with over 80 county chairs from across the country to share resources and best practices on how the party can grow political, finance, communications and digital organizing from the grassroots up. When you couple these educational efforts with transferring more money to state and territory parties than ever before, you can see how the RNC under McDaniel values the health of the entire Party — not just in swing states or traditional red counties.
Take a look at the historically deep blue Rio Grande Valley, where Republicans outperformed with Latino voters in 2020. This cycle, we built upon those gains by opening RNC Hispanic community centers in Laredo, McAllen, Houston and San Antonio.
In 2021, Texas State Representative John Lujan utilized our community center in San Antonio and flipped House District 118, a 73% Hispanic district that Biden won by 14 points just one year earlier. A similar story played out in the 85% Hispanic South Texas town of McAllen, where Republican Javier Villalobos became the first Republican mayor of McAllen.
We also elected the first Mexican-born congresswoman — and the first Republican to represent her district since 1870 — when Congresswoman Mayra Flores flipped Texas’ 34th Congressional District in June.
That was a momentous accomplishment, as the district went for Hillary Clinton by over 25 points in 2016 and for Joe Biden by over 13 points in 2020. And in November, South Texans chose Congresswoman-elect Monica De La Cruz to become the first-ever Republican to represent the 15th District.
When looking at the Texas Legislature, Republicans doubled the number of female representatives from 7 to 14, and we also grew the number of minority legislators by 150%. Because of strategic, long-term investments in sharing our message of freedom and prosperity with all Americans, we are changing the face of our Party in Texas and across the country.
There is no question that the investments the RNC made to court Hispanic voters, both nationally and in Texas specifically, resulted in these terrific gains we have made as a party. This cycle, the RNC opened 38 brick-and-mortar minority community centers, five of which were in the Lone Star State.
Continuing to meet voters where they are, having meaningful two-way conversations and listening to their concerns while also sharing the inclusive message of the Republican Party is the only way we will see success in 2024.
The RNC had a massive ground game in Texas. Whether you look at the political staff, minority community center outreach, paid voter contact, or the Election Integrity operation, the investments paid off. With 30 staff members and over 65,000 volunteers on the ground who made over 5 million voter contacts, the RNC’s team drove voters to the polls to vote Republican.
On the Election Integrity front, the RNC’s operation recruited over tens of thousands of poll watchers and poll workers who covered 100% of key precincts during Early Vote and on Election Day.
You can see McDaniel’s belief in the grassroots directly reflected in the RNC’s investments and achievements over the past three cycles. The strength and growth of the Republican PartyHist is palpable under her leadership, which is why I am proud to endorse her for another term.
With Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel at the helm in 2024, I am confident our grassroots will continue to be uplifted, our Party will continue to grow, and we will continue to see historic gains in Texas and across the country.
Toni Anne Dashiell is the Republican National Committeewoman from Texas.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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