Newly elected Republican National Committee chairman Ronna Romney McDaniel announced on Tuesday morning that Sara Armstrong would be her chief of staff, putting women in the two of the committee's top leadership posts.
"This is the dawn of a new day for Republicans across America, and we at the RNC will never forget our true mission of fighting for a brighter future for American families," said Armstrong, who most recently served as chief executive officer of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. She previously held a series of senior positions within the RNC.
McDaniel's co-chair, a position that had to be filled by a man due to RNC bylaws that mandate the co-chair be the opposite sex of the chairman, is Bob Paduchik.
Both McDaniel, from Michigan, and Paduchik, from Ohio, played critical roles in President Donald Trump's election efforts in the midwest. They will likely rely on Armstrong, who has held numerous top positions at the RNC, for guidance on the workings of the committee.
"Sara Armstrong’s many years of experience working at the RNC and her deep relationships with Republicans everywhere make her a superb choice to help lead the RNC," said McDaniel. "Sara played key leadership roles at both the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the Republican National Convention this past calendar year, and she will bring her expertise, managerial gifts, and dedication to this Committee."
The Democratic National Committee will select its chairman in an election next month. Only two of the seven declared candidates for the post are women, and neither are considered to be frontrunners.