Allies of RNC incumbent Ronna McDaniel accused of 'religious bigotry' against Dhillon

One week out from a highly contested vote to determine who will head the Republican National Committee, allies of incumbent GOP Chair Ronna McDaniel are engaging in "religious bigotry" by targeting challenger Harmeet Dhillon's faith, according to RNC members and other sources who spoke to Fox News Digital.

Whispers that Dhillon's opponents are raising concerns about her being a Sikh of Indian heritage have quietly rocked the RNC chair race behind the scenes in recent weeks. Now, some RNC members have decided to speak out on the record for the first time, describing themselves as frustrated and disappointed with the focus on Dhillon's religious beliefs.

Lori Hinz, an RNC committeewoman from North Dakota, on Thursday night sent an email obtained by Fox News Digital to all 168 members of the RNC detailing how McDaniel supporters are raising Dhillon's religion in conversations.

"I'm sure many of you have read the stories or heard about the religious bigotry being pushed among our committee in order to disparage and discredit one of our own, my friend, Harmeet Dhillon," Hinz wrote.