Michael Whatley

Michael Whatley
Michael Whatley
	Whatley in 2025
66th Chair of the Republican National Committee
	In office; March 8, 2024 – August 22, 2025
Preceded by	Ronna McDaniel
Succeeded by	Joe Gruters
Chair of the North 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.
Party	Republican
Education	University of North Carolina, Charlotte (BA); Wake Forest University (MA); University of Notre Dame (MA, JD)

Michael David Whatley (born 1968 or 1969) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 66th chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from 2024 to 2025. He previously served as chair of the North Carolina Republican Party from 2019 to 2024, the last year of which he also served as the RNC's general counsel.

Born and raised in Western North Carolina, Whatley earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, a master's degree from Wake Forest University, and a second master's and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame. After working on the presidential campaign of George W. Bush in 2000, he served in the U.S. Department of Energy during the Bush administration. In 2004, he became chief of staff to Senator Elizabeth Dole, serving until 2007. In 2019, Whatley was elected chair of the Republican Party of North Carolina, serving until his election as RNC Chair in 2024.