The Trump-endorsed chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, Michael Whatley, recently announced his bid to replace Ronna McDaniel as the chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Whatley’s entrance into the race follows McDaniel’s decision to resign from her leadership role. The North Carolina GOP chairman announced his candidacy in a message to RNC members.
“I believe that my experience driving turnout and prompting election integrity in North Carolina, as well as my time as RNC General Counsel, have prepared me well for this role. 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 said.
Whatley said he is committed to increasing voter turnout and safeguarding election integrity. He highlighted the importance of implementing a legal strategy to prevent voter fraud.
“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 said.
“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,” he added.
Whatley also expressed the importance of electing former President Donald Trump in 2024, saying the U.S. is “depending” on such an outcome.
I am honored to have the support of President Trump to be the next @GOP Chair. Working with my fellow RNC members and the President’s campaign, we will get out the vote, protect the ballot, and win in November. https://t.co/Uxcy7ikyq9
— Michael Whatley (@WhatleyNCGOP) February 27, 2024
Whatley’s comments come after the RNC has hesitated to endorse the former president before the GOP presidential primary ends despite Trump trouncing his opposition.
One member of the RNC previously proposed a resolution that would prevent the committee from working with Trump’s presidential campaign until the former president wins the 1,215 delegates required to become the GOP presidential nominee.
Trump’s campaign has criticized the proposal, saying the RNC should work with the former president to increase his chances of becoming president in 2024.
Alongside Whatley, Trump endorsed his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to become RNC co-chairwoman.
McDaniel’s departure from her leadership role at the RNC comes after she’s faced massive criticism from Republicans over the party’s losses in past elections.
