Whatley Reflects on RNC Tenure and Senate Ambitions
Michael Whatley, the Republican National Committee Chairman, recently shared insights from his time in office as he prepares to transition into a Senate campaign in North Carolina. He announced his resignation from the RNC on July 31 to pursue the seat currently held by Republican Sen. Tom Tillis.
Whatley, appointed by President Donald Trump early in 2024 following Rona McDaniel’s resignation, took charge during a challenging time. The party was facing financial difficulties, yet he leaves it in a much stronger position both financially and in terms of election integrity initiatives, with $80 million cash on hand—five times more than the Democrats.
“We’re working hard every day to rebuild our economy, secure our borders, and restore America’s respect globally,” Whatley expressed. He believes this agenda resonates well with the American people, which is why the Republican Party is performing so strongly right now. “The RNC is in a solid financial position,” he added.
During his leadership, Whatley prioritized election integrity, and under his guidance, the RNC engaged in over 100 lawsuits across 20 states during the 2024 election cycle. They successfully mobilized a substantial volunteer force along with thousands of attorneys to address any election-related issues, as Whatley had previously noted.
He indicated that the focus on election integrity will continue with his successor, Florida Sen. Joe Gruters, who is expected to uphold this mission. Reflecting on past election cycles, Whatley mentioned, “In 2020, states like Ohio, Florida, and North Carolina had successful election integrity programs. I was involved in developing North Carolina’s, while Joe handled Florida’s.” He has confidence in Gruters to maintain this commitment.
Whatley, balancing his RNC responsibilities with his Senate campaign aspirations, attended a voting watcher training session in Virginia recently. Initially, he had intended to remain in his RNC role throughout the election cycle, but a conversation with Trump prompted his decision to run.
“The president encouraged me to take this step, and I felt it was the right move,” Whatley said. He aims to carry the RNC’s messages into his campaign, emphasizing the importance of advocating for all communities and families in North Carolina. “I want to ensure our state has a robust economy and implement policies that create jobs,” he remarked.
Whatley credited Gruters for contributing to the party’s financial stability, highlighting his roles over the years, including his work during key campaign efforts. Reports suggest that the RNC is thriving now, boasting $80 million in cash reserves as of mid-August—significantly more than before Whatley took over.
Looking back on his tenure, Whatley expressed pride in the growth of the Republican Party in North Carolina. “Serving as the RNC chair has been an incredible honor. I’m proud of what we accomplished and how we worked together,” he noted. “Focusing our efforts on winning, securing votes, and protecting them is what I believe made a difference for us.”
