RNC elects Joe Gruters as chairman, replacing Michael Whatley

ATLANTA — The Republican National Committee on Friday unanimously chose Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters as its next chairman, placing him in charge of the party apparatus that will be responsible for defending dozens of congressional seats next year.

Gruters, who has spent the past seven months as RNC treasurer, will step in to replace Michael Whatley, who resigned to run for the U.S. Senate in his home state. He takes the gavel midway through the election cycle, a scenario that echoes 2024, when Whatley assumed control from Ronna McDaniel, allowing Trump allies to guide the party once he locked up the GOP nomination.