Michael Whatley

Michael Whatley
Whatley in 2024
Chair of the Republican National Committee
In office
March 8, 2024 – August 22, 2025
Preceded byRonna McDaniel
Succeeded byJoe Gruters
Chair of the North Carolina Republican Party
In office
June 8, 2019 – March 8, 2024
Preceded byRobin Hayes
Succeeded byJason Simmons
Personal details
Born1968/1969 (age 56–57)
North Carolina, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte (BA)
Wake Forest University (MA)
University of Notre Dame (MA, JD)

Michael Whatley (born 1968 or 1969)[1] is an American politician and lawyer. He was the chair of the Republican National Committee from March 2024 until August 2025. He was chair of the North Carolina Republican Party from 2019 to 2024.

After the United States Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, Whatley refused to blame former President Donald Trump and only blamed the people who took part of the attack.[2]

In July 2025, Whatley announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina in the 2026 election.[3] His campaign has been supported by President Donald Trump.[4] He resigned from the RNC in August 2025.[5]

References

  1. Coleman, Dashiell (June 14, 2019). "Gastonia's Whatley says GOP will focus on 2020". Gaston Gazette. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  2. Greenwood, Max (February 16, 2021). "North Carolina GOP chair: Fault lies with rioters, not Trump". The Hill. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  3. "RNC chair Michael Whatley to run for Senate in North Carolina with Trump's support". POLITICO. 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  4. Goldmacher, Shane; Haberman, Maggie (2025-07-24). "Michael Whatley, R.N.C. Chairman, to Run for Senate in North Carolina". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  5. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5419624-trump-backs-joe-gruters-of-florida-as-next-rnc-chair/