Ronna McDaniel: The Push to Turn and Keep Michigan Red

Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel launches Michigan Forward to flip the state legislature, fight Democratic policies, and build a long-term conservative future.

Ronna McDaniel, former RNC Chair and now CEO of Michigan Forward, is on a mission to shift the political tide in Michigan by building a lasting conservative infrastructure. In an interview with independent journalist Dave Bondy, McDaniel outlined her organization's strategy: win back control of the state legislature and keep it.

“The Michigan Forward Network is going to be focused this cycle on how do we elect conservatives, how do we make Michigan red,” McDaniel said. “The main focus is going to be the state legislature. We want to make sure we flip the Senate and keep the House and hold Democrats accountable.”

I walked away from the mainstream corporate controlled media to go independent. I can’t keep doing this work without paid subscribers. If you are not one yet, consider becoming one for $6 a month. You can leave when you want. Thank-you.

McDaniel pointed to key issues driving voter frustration, including affordability, education, and high taxes.

“People are leaving the state,” she said. “They can’t get a job that makes a good enough wage. Insurance is so high, our taxes are so high, and they're fleeing to reliably red states not just because it's Republican, but because they have better policy.”

Education, she argued, is at the heart of the problem. “What young family is going to say, ‘I’m going to move my kids to Michigan’ when one in four kids can read before third grade?” McDaniel asked. “They repealed a law that said if you can’t read in the third grade, you shouldn’t pass on—which is just common sense.”

She criticized Democratic leadership under Governor Gretchen Whitmer, claiming it has led to a state in decline. “We are not thriving under Gretchen Whitmer,” McDaniel said. “We’ve gone backwards.”

Looking at neighboring states like Indiana and Ohio, McDaniel said Michigan should follow their model. “Indiana is not that far away. So there must be something going on in Michigan when it comes to the climate of economics,” she said.

She emphasized that Michigan Forward is not just a short-term political effort. “This organization will be permanent,” McDaniel said. “We’re going to keep this footprint here because we want our state to be a place that we love, that we can thrive in, and our kids can, too.”

McDaniel concluded with a personal note: “I love Michigan. I want my kids to leave college and have a great job in our state. That only comes with consistent policies.”