National Republican Chairman Whatley won’t keep other job leading North Carolina GOP

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.

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