Trump-Backed Joe Gruters Elected RNC Chair

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has officially elected Florida State Senator Joe Gruters as its new chair, solidifying President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Gruters, who previously served as the RNC’s Treasurer, ran unopposed in Friday’s vote at the party’s summer meeting in Atlanta. His election was widely expected after receiving Trump’s strong endorsement earlier this month. “MAGA Warrior Joe Gruters, who has been with us from the very beginning, is running to become the next Chairman of the Republican National Committee,” Trump wrote on social media, giving Gruters his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”

The leadership change comes as outgoing chairman Michael Whatley steps aside to launch a U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina following Sen. Thom Tillis’s retirement. Whatley, who took over the RNC in 2024 after Ronna McDaniel’s departure, praised Trump’s leadership in his farewell remarks. “Because of the incredible work of every member of the RNC, we had front-row seats to the greatest political comeback in American history,” Whatley said.

Gruters takes over a party organization that currently holds a strong financial position, with more than $80 million in cash reserves — more than five times that of Democrats. He credited Whatley for building that foundation and said the party is well-prepared moving forward.

However, Gruters’ elevation could reignite political tensions in his home state of Florida. He has frequently clashed with Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential future presidential contender, setting the stage for possible friction within GOP ranks.

As chair, Gruters will oversee the party’s national strategy and fundraising, with his leadership likely to reflect Trump’s priorities heading into the 2026 midterms and beyond.

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