Current:Home > MyNational Republican Chairman Whatley won’t keep other job leading North Carolina GOP -ProfitLogic
National Republican Chairman Whatley won’t keep other job leading North Carolina GOP
View
Date:2025-04-15 22:43:36
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — New Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley will resign from his other position leading the North Carolina GOP later this month.
Whatley was former President Donald Trump’s handpicked choice to succeed longtime RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, and was elected last Friday at an RNC meeting.
In an open letter to the state Republican Party on Monday, Whatley said that he had decided to step down as state chairman “after prayerful consideration and conversations” with family, Trump and his campaign and many Republican candidates and leaders.
A North Carolina GOP spokesperson said last week that the state party’s bylaws don’t prohibit someone from serving simultaneously as state and national chairman. Whatley was first elected state chairman in 2019 and served for some time during that period as the RNC’s general counsel.
“I feel that it is important for us to have a Chair who can focus solely on winning the critical races up and down the ballot in North Carolina, work closely with President Trump and his campaign and continue to work daily with all of our county and district parties, auxiliary groups and Republican Candidates,” Whatley wrote.
Whatley also announced a March 26 meeting of the state GOP’s Executive Committee, where he’ll resign and membership can choose a new chair to serve through the state convention in mid-2025.
State Republican Party Executive Director Jason Simmons quickly entered his name as a candidate for the chairmanship, citing his work in his current job over the past three years and his previous positions working for Trump’s 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns.
“Given our position as a key battleground state, we have an immense opportunity ahead of us to re-elect President Trump and take back the Governor’s Mansion” through the election of Republican nominee Mark Robinson, Simmons wrote committee members.
“We cannot afford to squander this opportunity,” he said. “Now is not the time for any on-the-job training.”
Simmons has the endorsement of Sen. Ted Budd, who said in a separate written statement that Simmons has a “proven track record of helping President Trump and North Carolina Republicans win.”
Whatley, from Gaston County, heads a new RNC leadership team that includes Trump daughter-in-law Lara Trump as the committee co-chair and Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita as RNC chief of staff. The new leadership team already has started making changes, with dozens of employees across key departments getting fired.
In Monday’s letter, Whatley highlighted efforts during his state GOP tenure to encourage early voting and protect “election integrity,” as well as online fundraising and volunteer training.
He cited electoral victories for Republicans to hold majorities on the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. They also retained control of the General Assembly, where a party flip by a Democratic legislator gave the GOP veto-proof control in both chambers.
North Carolina went to Trump’s side of the electoral tally board in the previous two elections, although he won in 2020 by just over 1 percentage point.
But with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper winning reelection in 2020, Republicans continued a run where they’ve lost seven of the last eight general elections for the post.
veryGood! (2558)
Related
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- GOP state attorneys push back on Biden’s proposed diversity rules for apprenticeship programs
- Maker of Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles to follow California’s strict vehicle emissions standards
- Companies Are Poised to Inject Millions of Tons of Carbon Underground. Will It Stay Put?
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Texas’ migrant arrest law is back on hold after briefly taking effect
- Man to plead guilty in eagle ‘killing spree’ on reservation to sell feathers on black market
- What to know about Tyler Kolek, Marquette guard who leads nation in assists per game
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Longtime NHL tough guy and Stanley Cup champion Chris Simon dies at 52
Ranking
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- What to know about Tyler Kolek, Marquette guard who leads nation in assists per game
- Family sorting through father's Massachusetts attic found looted Japanese art: See photos
- Caitlin Clark, freshmen JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo top AP women’s All-America team
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- What to know about Tyler Kolek, Marquette guard who leads nation in assists per game
- Make a Racquet for Kate Spade Outlet’s Extra 20% Off Sale on Tennis-Inspired Bags, Wallets & More
- She nearly died from 'rare' Botox complications. Is Botox safe?
Recommendation
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Lose Yourself Over Eminem's Reunion With Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent at Dr. Dre's Walk of Fame Ceremony
Police in Idaho involved in hospital shooting are searching for an escaped inmate and 2nd suspect
Nickelodeon Alum Devon Werkheiser Apologizes to Drake Bell for Joking About Docuseries
Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
Pair accused of stealing battery manufacturing secrets from Tesla and starting their own company
Battleship on the Delaware River: USS New Jersey traveling to Philadelphia for repairs
Stanley cup drop today: What to know if you want a neon-colored cup