ATLANTA, GA – On Friday, Joe Gruters will officially assume the role of chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), succeeding Michael Whatley, who is stepping down to run for Senate in North Carolina. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the RNC’s leadership and highlights the deepening influence of former President Donald Trump within the party.
Gruters, a Florida state senator and longtime Trump ally, is expected to be formally elected as RNC chair by the committee members during their summer meeting, which is being held in Atlanta, Georgia. The meeting, which coincides with the Republican National Convention’s annual summer gathering, is a crucial event for shaping the party’s strategy for the upcoming midterm elections. Gruters’ election to the position is a direct reflection of his close relationship with Trump and his role in the former president’s political operations.
Whatley’s decision to vacate his position as RNC chair to campaign for Senate in North Carolina signals the strategic importance of the state in the 2024 electoral landscape. North Carolina, a key battleground, is poised to be one of the most expensive and competitive Senate races in the country this year as the GOP seeks to retain its majority in the Senate. Whatley, who has been a loyal supporter of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, emphasized the importance of having a strong conservative voice in the Senate, stating,