Former RNC chair shreds party and predicts Democratic win: ‘We’re talking about Kansas’

Ronna McDaniel, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, criticized the GOP’s midterm election strategy and predicted that Democrats would take control of the House come November.McDaniel made the remarks during an interview with CBS News Tuesday, one week out from Election Day. Polls indicate Republicans could suffer severe losses amid voter frustration on the cost of living and the Iran war.“It’s an unexpectedly tough map,” CBS News host Major Garrett said. “This map, six months ago, was viewed by most Republicans I talked to as kind of favorable, and kind of a layup. Not anymore.”“Totally,” McDaniel replied. “I mean, the fact that we’re talking about Kansas, the fact the president’s been in South Carolina and Mississippi, I know for a fact, you’re not in these states unless there’s a data point that’s driving him to spend time in those states. How many times has he been to Texas?”In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has campaigned repeatedly in GOP strongholds, including Texas, where Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton is locked in a tight race with Democrat James Talarico. The president has also traveled to Kansas, where Republican Senator Roger Marshall is seeing a strong challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton.Ronna McDaniel, the former chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, criticized the party's midterm strategy and predicted Democratic wins (Getty Images)The GOP has poured vast sums of money into traditionally safe states, spending upwards of $230 million in Texas alone, making it one of the most expensive non-presidential races in history, according to AdImpact.“I mean, we shouldn’t be spending $200 million or $300 million in Texas to defend a Senate candidate,” McDaniel, RNC chair from 2017 to 2024, said. “So there’s a lot at stake.”As to her predictions for Election Day, McDaniel said she expects Democrats to overtake the GOP’s slim majority in the House.“I think the House, with the three seats that the Dems need to pick up, is probably gonna go to the Democrats,” she said. She noted that redistricting efforts earlier in Trump’s term have made “a 50-seat wave” unlikely.In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has campaigned repeatedly in GOP strongholds, including Texas, where Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton (pictured) is locked in a tight race with James Talarico, his Democratic opponent (AFP/Getty)“I think Republicans could keep the Senate, but it is a tough environment out there,” she added. “And right now all eyes are on the Senate. But certainly the map has expanded, and Democrats are feeling bullish.”Historically, the president’s party tends to lose congressional seats in midterm elections, though the size of those losses varies.In 2022, when Joe Biden was president, Republicans narrowly won the House, while Democrats kept the Senate. In 2006, when George W. Bush was in the White House, Republicans lost their majorities in both the House and the Senate after public backlash over the Iraq war.