Trump-Backed Whatley Announces Bid For RNC Chair

Trump-endorsed chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party Michael Whatley has officially announced he will seek to replace Ronna McDaniel as chairman of the Republican National Committee, according to The Washington Examiner.

McDaniel will vacate the role next month. She was elected RNC chairwoman in 2017 and, after backing Donald Trump, was reelected in 2023.

After a worse-than-expected performance in the 2022 midterm elections, McDaniel faced widespread criticism. Several GOP lawmakers went so far as to call on McDaniel to resign.

Whatley announced his bid for the position on Monday in an email message sent to RNC members, according to the Examiner.

The announcement came after Trump endorsed Whatley for the position earlier this month. Trump also endorsed Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, for the role of RNC co-chairwoman.

Whatley was quick to echo Trump’s endorsement in his announcement.

“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,” Whatley 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.”

Whatley zeroed in on two priorities if elected to the position. He vowed to increase voter turnout and strengthen the RNC’s efforts to “protect the ballot.”

The priorities align with the RNC allocating millions of dollars to its Election Integrity Department. The EID plans to implement an aggressive litigation strategy to avoid voter fraud in the 2024 election, according to the Examiner.

“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,” Whatley 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.”

Whatley also pushed the idea that the RNC has an “important opportunity” to reelect Trump to the White House.

“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,” Whatley continued.

“If I am elected Chair, I will work tirelessly beside you, my fellow RNC members, the President’s campaign, and voters across the country to win in November and fix the damage that Joe Biden has inflicted on our country.”

Trump is also vying to instate Chris LaCivita as the RNC’s chief operating officer, a move that would further solidify support for the former president among the national party.

The sooner Republicans unify around a presumptive nominee — which looks to be Trump — the better.