Florida State Sen. Joe Gruters has been elected as the new chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), succeeding Michael Whatley, who is launching a U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina. Gruters, a longtime Trump ally and former RNC treasurer, ran unopposed with the full endorsement of former President Donald Trump. The vote took place during the RNC’s summer meeting in Atlanta.

“MAGA Warrior Joe Gruters… has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump posted earlier this month. After his confirmation, Gruters expressed gratitude and optimism: “Thank you all so much, now the party’s in great hands moving forward.” Whatley praised Gruters as “a true conservative fighter” and a “steadfast ally” of Trump.

Gruters takes the helm with a significant financial advantage. The RNC currently holds $80 million in cash on hand, a figure that far surpasses the Democratic National Committee’s available funds. Gruters credited Whatley’s tireless fundraising for the party’s strong financial position heading into a critical election cycle.

Whatley, who replaced Ronna McDaniel in 2024 after tensions with Trump, said he decided to step down after receiving a call from the former president. Now with Trump’s endorsement, he is running for North Carolina’s open Senate seat following the retirement of Sen. Thom Tillis. “We had front-row seats to the greatest political comeback in American history,” Whatley said in his farewell remarks.

One challenge Gruters may face is his strained relationship with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The two have clashed on key issues, and if DeSantis launches another presidential run, he may do so under an RNC chair with whom he has previously battled. Meanwhile, Whatley claimed Democrats have “learned nothing” from their 2024 losses, accusing them of doubling down on “failed policies.”