Michael Whatley | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Whatley in 2025 | |
| 66thChair of the Republican National Committee | |
| In office March 8, 2024 – August 22, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Ronna McDaniel |
| Succeeded by | Joe Gruters |
| Chair of theNorth Carolina Republican Party | |
| In office June 8, 2019 – March 8, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Robin Hayes |
| Succeeded by | Jason Simmons |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 or 1969 (age 56–57) North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Charlotte (BA) Wake Forest University (MA) University of Notre Dame (MA,JD) |
Michael David Whatley[1] (born 1968 or 1969)[2] is an American politician and lawyer who served as the66th chairman of theRepublican National Committee (RNC) from March 2024 to August 2025. He previously served as chair of theNorth Carolina Republican Party from 2019 to 2024, the last year of which he also served as the RNC'sgeneral counsel.
Born and raised inWestern North Carolina, Whatley earned bachelor's degree from theUniversity of North Carolina, Charlotte, a master's degree fromWake Forest University, and a second master's and aJuris Doctor degree from theUniversity of Notre Dame. After working on thepresidential campaign ofGeorge W. Bush in2000, he served in theU.S. Department of Energy during theBush administration. In 2004, he became chief of staff to SenatorElizabeth Dole, serving until 2007. In 2019, Whatley was elected chair of theRepublican Party ofNorth Carolina, serving until his election asRNC Chair in2024.
In July 2025, Whatley announced his candidacy for theUnited States Senate in2026.
Whatley is fromWatauga County, North Carolina, where his father was an accountant and his mother was a librarian.[3] He graduated from theUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte with abachelor's degree in history in 1991 and fromWake Forest University with amaster's degree in religion in 1993. He then earned a master's degree intheology in 1994 and aJuris Doctor degree in 1997 from theUniversity of Notre Dame.[4]
Whatley began working inRepublican Party politics when he volunteered on the1984 reelection campaign ofU.S. senatorJesse Helms while he was a sophomore atWatauga High School.[5]
In 2000, Whatley was a member ofGeorge W. Bush's team pursuing theFlorida recount. DuringBush's presidency, Whatley served in theUnited States Department of Energy as deputy assistant secretary.[6] In 2004, he becamechief of staff for U.S. SenatorElizabeth Dole, replacing Frank Hill.[6][7] In 2007, Whatley became a partner at lobbying firm HBW Resources, and in 2008 he became executive vice president for the Consumer Energy Alliance; he held the position until 2019.[8][9] In 2016, Whatley helped Republican presidential nomineeDonald Trump campaign and organize rallies in North Carolina.[8]
In June 2019, theNorth Carolina Republican Party selected Whatley to succeedRobin Hayes as their chair.[10][11]
Following theUnited States Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, Whatley refused to blame Trump, saying that only those who participated in the riots bear responsibility.[12][13] In February 2021, Whatley said, "We certainly saw evidence of voting irregularities, of election counting irregularities in a number of places around the country", and that the reason Trump won North Carolina was his state party's vigilance against Democrats' attempts to cheat.[14] Also in February 2021, the state party voted unanimously tocensure SenatorRichard Burr for voting to convict President Trump during hissecond impeachment.[15]
TheRepublican National Committee appointed Whatley as its general counsel in February 2023.[16] In February 2024, Donald Trump endorsed Whatley to replaceRonna McDaniel as chair of the RNC.[17] In March 2024, Whatley was elected as the new chair of the RNC, along withLara Trump as his co-chair.[18][19] Per the North Carolina party's 2022 plan of organization, its vice chair (Susan Mills) served as state chair until a successor was elected.[20][21] During his tenure as chair of the RNC the Republican party won the presidency as well as a U.S. Senate and House majority in the2024 United States elections.
In January 2025, Whatley was reelected as chair of the RNC.[22]
On July 24, 2025, press reports announced that Whatley would run forU.S. Senate withPresident Trump's support.[23][24] He vacated his position as chair of the RNC while running for the Senate seat.[25]
Susan Mills will continue to serve as Vice Chair.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Aubrey Woodard Acting | Chair of theNorth Carolina Republican Party 2019–2024 | Succeeded by Susan Mills Acting |
| Preceded by | Chair of the Republican National Committee 2024–2025 | Succeeded by |