RNC chair Michael Whatley launches NC Senate bid, opening door to new leadership

WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley has formally kicked off his bid for the hotly-contested North Carolina Senate seat, opening the door for new leadership at the top of the official GOP.

Whatley can remain RNC chair up until the vote for his replacement, which has yet to be officially scheduled. His departure will mark yet another change in leadership, as Lara Trump stepped down as RNC co-chair in December in favor of a weekend hosting gig on Fox News.

Democrats have not won a Senate seat in North Carolina since 2008, but have high hopes of replacing retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis with former Gov. Roy Cooper.

An initial poll by Emerson College released Friday showed Cooper leading Whatley by six percentage points among all voters (47%-41%) with 12% undecided.

To replace Whatley, President Trump has backed Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters, the current RNC treasurer.

Gruters, 48, has made headlines in the Sunshine State for his tense relationship with Gov. Ron DeSantis, who called him out July 16 by saying: “Gruters has taken major positions contrary to what our voter base wants to do.”

The governor specifically criticized Gruters for opposing legislation to reduce the power of teachers’ unions in the state and campaigning for a constitutional amendment that would have largely decriminalized marijuana in Florida.

Gruters also was at the center of a fight between DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Florida legislature over illegal immigration after lawmakers initially rejected an enforcement proposal by the governor in favor of legislation that would have weakened DeSantis’ power.

“He was the author and architect of this terrible amnesty bill, which would have made everything I’ve done — including Alligator Alcatraz — to help President Trump’s illegal immigration removal agenda illegal in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said July 16.

On Friday, however, Trump praised Gruters on Truth Social as a “MAGA Warrior … who has been with us from the very beginning.”

“As State Senator and Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, Joe helped us deliver massive and historic Victories across the State, including my three BIG WINS in 2016, 2020, and 2024!” Trump wrote.

“As RNC Treasurer, Joe has been a Fierce Advocate for our Movement, and fought tirelessly to ensure a highly functioning, fiscally responsible, and financially successful RNC. He will be a wonderful Chairman!”

The new chair will lead the party into the 2026 midterms, with Trump saying he has high hopes for Republicans to “increase their margins” in both the House and Senate.

The new chair will be aided by Trump’s $1.4 billion war chest that will be used to back some of his “friends” running across the country.

To replace Gruters as RNC Treasurer, Trump endorsed Jennifer Saul-Rich, who has served as a national committee woman from New York since 2004.

“Joe Gruters and Jennifer Saul-Rich are 100% America First, and I know they will do an incredible job, and secure Great Success for Republicans all across our Country,” Trump wrote. “Joe and Jennifer have my Complete and Total Endorsement — THEY WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”.