WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley has formally kicked off his bid for the hotly contested North Carolina Senate seat, opening the door for new leadership at the top of the official GOP.

President Donald Trump backed Sunshine State Sen. Joe Gruters for the role of Republican National Committee chair, and Jennifer Saul-Rich for the Treasurer post

President Trump says he is backing Sarasota Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters to become the next chairman of the Republican National Committee. In a Truth Social posting sent out Thursday night, the president said that he was hoping that the current RNC Chair,