Ronna McDaniel Chairwoman, Republican National Committee
Thomas Perez Chairman, Democratic National Committee
Both face the immediate challenge of shepherding their party through the 2018 midterms. Time will tell whether McDaniel — who used to be Ronna Romney McDaniel until Trump suggested that she might drop the reference to her uncle Mitt’s family — will find the influence and persuasive skill to be effective in managing when and where Trump’s campaign support will be helpful or toxic. Perez has to show he can turn a favorable political climate for Democrats into the reality of more Democrat wins. He and DNC Deputy Chairman Rep. Keith Ellison face the longer term problem of ensuring that a post-Hillary environment will allow enough space for a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to gain traction.
