North Carolina Republican Party chairman Michael Whatley has officially announced his bid to become the next chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Whatley was officially endorsed by former President Donald Trump just days before current Chair Ronna McDaniel announced her decision to step down. McDaniel will officially step down next week.
Whatley announced his candidacy on Monday in an email message sent to RNC members.
“I believe that my experience driving turnout and protecting election integrity in North Carolina, as well as my time as RNC General Counsel, have prepared me well for this role,” he wrote in the email.
“I have been truly honored to receive President Trump’s endorsement for this position and I hope to earn your vote as we undertake the crucial work of winning up and down the ballot in 2024.”
NEWS: a major Trump shakeup at the RNC. Trump will endorse Michael Whatley to succeed Ronna McDaniel as RNC Chair and Lara Trump for RNC co-chair. Chris LaCivita will be RNC COO, and will maintain his role as a senior adviser on the Trump campaign. https://t.co/zJfAgSsBov
— Alex Isenstadt (@politicoalex) February 13, 2024
As a part of his announcement, Whatley focused on increasing voter turnout and boosting RNC efforts to protect the ballot in the upcoming presidential election.
“We need to be laser-focused on registering new voters, pushing voters to the polls, and taking advantage of every opportunity to run up our margin in key states across the country,” he wrote.
“Simultaneously, we will work around the clock to file aggressive litigation where needed, recruit and train tens of thousands of poll watchers and poll workers, and hold Democrat officials accountable in court when they try to subvert election integrity.”
Trump’s endorsement of Whatley came alongside another endorsement as the former president endorsed his daughter Lara Trump for RNC co-chair. He also tweeted that Chris LaCivita would be the RNC COO.
NEWS: a major Trump shakeup at the RNC. Trump will endorse Michael Whatley to succeed Ronna McDaniel as RNC Chair and Lara Trump for RNC co-chair. Chris LaCivita will be RNC COO, and will maintain his role as a senior adviser on the Trump campaign. https://t.co/zJfAgSsBov
— Alex Isenstadt (@politicoalex) February 13, 2024
Whatley must win a majority of support from RNC members to become the next Chairman of the party. The election will take place in Houston on March 8 and with Trump’s support, Whatley is expected to win the nomination easily.
Whatley is focused on getting Trump in the White House and told fellow RNC members, “America is depending on us to send President Trump back to the White House, expand our majority in the House of Representatives, and win control of the Senate.”
