President Donald Trump endorsed Florida State Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) to be the next chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
On Thursday, Chairman Michael Whatley announced his departure from the RNC to run for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Gruters, who was elected to the Florida State Senate in a special election in 2023, previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2018 and chaired the Florida Republican Party from 2019 to 2023.
He has also been serving as RNC Treasurer since January of this year.
“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…As State Senator and Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, Joe helped us deliver massive and historic Victories across the State, including my three BIG WINS in 2016, 2020, and 2024,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday.
Trump said Gruters would make a “wonderful” chairman, adding, “As RNC Treasurer, Joe has been a Fierce Advocate for our Movement, and fought tirelessly to ensure a highly functioning, fiscally responsible, and financially successful RNC.”
The president endorsed Jennifer Saul-Rich, the national committeewoman of the Republican Party of New York, to succeed Gruters as treasurer of the RNC.
“Republicans also have a tremendous Candidate to become the next Treasurer of the RNC. Her name is Jennifer Saul-Rich…Jennifer will work to ensure the RNC continues smashing every Fundraising Record, building an incredible “War Chest” for 2026, and beyond. She will be a FANTASTIC Treasurer,” Trump said.
The president said both Gruters and Saul-Rich are “100% America First.”
“I know they will do an incredible job, and secure Great Success for Republicans all across our Country,” Trump added.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Joe Gruters” by Joe Gruters.
