EDITORIAL: An Important Update Regarding the RNC Chairman

I have previously committed to survey our state central committee’s choice regarding candidates seeking the position of RNC chair. Our current Chairman, Michael Whatley, has announced his intention to seek re-election, and it appears he will run unopposed. If that changes, we’ll seek your input on who you support for RNC Chair.

Below you will find Michael’s message regarding his decision to seek re-election.

Sincerely,

Bryan D. Smith and Vicki Keen

Idaho National Committeeman & Committeewoman

Just over a month ago, we helped secure one of the greatest political victories in our nation’s history. Since that night, we have seen President Trump assemble an incredible team of White House staff and cabinet nominees which will carry out his America First Agenda. In January, he will be sworn in as our 47th President and formally begin the work of Making America Great Again.

When you elected me as Chairman in March 2024, I laid out my vision for the RNC: getting out the vote, protecting the ballot, and raising the money we need to elect Republicans up and down the ticket. If I am lucky enough to once again earn your support, I will not deviate from that vision. Our efforts to get out the vote, protect the ballot, and raise money over the past 9 months played a crucial role in helping re-elect President Trump, flip the Senate, and maintain our House majority. Together, we have shown that while the RNC cannot be all things to all people, it can – and should – be a lean, focused, operation which exists to elect Republican candidates.

None of our victories would have been possible without your dedicated efforts in all 56 states and territories. You drove our momentum from the grassroots up, made our election integrity effort possible, and supercharged your state networks to get voters to the polls for President Trump and our Republican Candidates up and down the ballot. Now we face crucial fights ahead, from supporting President Trump’s cabinet nominees and preparing for the 2026 midterms to our ongoing fight for election integrity across America. It is my hope that we can take on these challenges together and continue delivering victories for the President and his America-first agenda.

As you may have seen, President Trump has asked me to continue on as Chairman of the Republican National Committee. I am very grateful to the President for the trust he has placed in me to serve in this role, which has been the honor of a lifetime.

I am formally announcing that I am running for re-election as RNC Chairman and I am humbly asking for your vote. I promise that I will continue working nonstop to help President Trump Make America Great Again!

I look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming Winter Meeting and President Trump’s Inauguration. In the meantime, I hope that you and yours have a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

Michael