By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Dan Schultz

What would happen if the very people who turn out to vote in a primary also got to pick the party leaders who decide which candidates appear on the ballot?

The runoff in South Carolina and the threat of a RINO victory

On Tuesday, primary runoff voters in South Carolina faced a choice for the U.S. Senate seat. Dan Schultz, host of Precinct Strategy with Dan Schultz, warned that the likely winner, Darlene Graham, represents a continuation of what he calls “RINO pollution” – a term he uses for Republican‑in‑Name‑Only candidates who undermine conservative values. While Schultz admitted he hoped to be wrong about Graham’s easy win, his focus quickly shifted to the deeper problem: the lack of conservative control within the party’s own structure.

Schultz emphasized that the real battle isn’t just on the ballot but in the precinct committees that elect the party’s officers. He explained, “The first step is we have to take control of the Republican Party. And conservatives and Trump supporters are not in control in it.” By securing those local positions, conservatives can prevent RINO candidates from advancing to the general election.

Understanding the precinct committee system

According to Schultz, each state, plus its five territories and the District of Columbia, sends three members to the Republican National Committee, totaling 168 slots. These seats are filled not by a statewide vote but by precinct committeemen elected at the local level. “Precinct committeemen elect the people who elect the electors who elect the state chairman, who serves on the RNC,” he said, illustrating the cascading influence of these seemingly modest roles.

The numbers are stark: while about 20% of typical Republican primary voters turn out, the remaining 80%—who often consume partisan media but don’t vote—are the very people Schultz urges to become precinct committeemen. He noted that these non‑voters are active on platforms like Rumble, Gab, TikTok, and Truth Social, yet rarely translate that engagement into party leadership.

Action plan: recruiting and training new committeemen

Schultz proposes a two‑pronged approach. First, conservatives must recruit two additional committeemen for each existing seat, creating a “50 split” that dilutes RINO influence. Second, he stresses the importance of basic procedural training, such as mastering Robert’s Rules of Order, to effectively participate in committee meetings.

He illustrated this with a hypothetical Acme County Republican Committee meeting, where new conservatives learn the fundamentals and then “help get out the vote for the best candidates in the primary and then the general.” By doing so, they become the only voters who can decide who runs the party, a power traditionally reserved for party elites.

Why Trump’s endorsement matters

Schultz highlighted that President Trump endorsed the Precinct Commitment Strategy over four years ago, giving the plan presidential backing. “It’s not my fault, and it’s not Donald Trump’s fault. He endorsed the Precinct Commitment Strategy over four years ago,” Schultz said, shifting responsibility to conservatives who have yet to act on that endorsement.

The former president’s support provides both legitimacy and a rallying point for grassroots activists. By aligning local efforts with Trump’s broader vision, conservatives can claim continuity with the administration’s agenda while building a sustainable party infrastructure.

From theory to practice: next steps for activists

For those ready to join the movement, Schultz directs listeners to resources such as PrecinctStrategy.com and the precinct committeeman handbook available in many states. He emphasizes that the commitment is modest – “three hours a month of political grunt work” – yet pivotal for reshaping the party’s future.

In summary, the pathway to defeating RINO candidates like Darlene Graham begins not at the polling place but in the precinct halls where party officers are chosen. By mobilizing Trump‑supporting conservatives to fill those seats, the GOP can reclaim its ideological direction and ensure that the next generation of leaders reflects true conservative principles.

The full episode of Precinct Strategy with Dan Schultz is available on OBBM Network TV.