The Republican National Committee’s chief of staff will be stepping down from his role months ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
RNC chief of staff Mike Reed told employees in an email Tuesday, “I write today to let you know that this month will be my last at the RNC.”
Reed — who noted he spent two decades “working almost exclusively on Republican campaigns, including four years working right alongside President Trump’s White House and campaign team” — stated he is leaving the RNC to work in the private sector. He cited several personal reasons for his departure, including his “growing family.”
“In the chaotic world of D.C. and the RNC, Mike Reed has been a calm and steady hand as our chief of staff,” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “I will miss having Mike guide me and our staff, but I am so happy and excited for his next adventure and that he will be able to spend more time with his wife Alice and their beautiful children.”
According to Reed, he informed McDaniel of his plans to leave a year ago, and the two decided he would stay on until the winter meeting.
Reed’s stepping down comes as RNC leadership faces increased scrutiny over past election results and organizing efforts, particularly from a faction of the 168 Republican committeemen and women, some of whom attended an “alternative RNC meeting” overlapping with the RNC winter meeting last week held by Turning Point Action.
But Reed didn’t say his leaving was related to this pressure in his email, telegraphing the opposite instead.
“I know the timing of this news comes as many rumors in the press swirl,” he said, adding, “I assure you, the RNC is in an incredibly strong position.”
Trump cast doubt on McDaniel’s future in the RNC, saying that “there’ll probably be some changes made” within the organization during a Fox News interview that aired on Sunday.
“Chairman McDaniel has had great conversations with President Trump over the last few days and weeks. She will continue to lead this organization to merge seamlessly should he be the nominee,” he continued.
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He credited his RNC team for handling the “turbulent” off-year in tremendous fashion, telling them, “You have built an incredible operation to benefit Republican candidates up and down the ballot, and you all should be very proud.”
A source familiar reiterated that Reed’s stepping down wouldn’t be the beginning of a trend within the RNC despite the critical faction and media speculation.
