Source: Politics<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump is backing Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters to chair the Republican National Committee and replace Michael Whatley as he runs for Senate in North Carolina.<\/p>\n
Trump announced his support Thursday in a Truth Social post about Whatley, who is expected to publicly announce his Senate candidacy in the coming days<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cFortunately, I have somebody who will do a wonderful job as the Chairman of the RNC,\u201d he wrote. \u201cHis name is, Joe Gruters, and he will have my Complete and Total Endorsement.\u201d<\/p>\n The 48-year-old Florida lawmaker is the RNC treasurer and previously served as chair of the Florida Republican Party. Gruters had been expected to run<\/a> to be the state\u2019s chief financial officer against an ally backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.<\/p>\n The governor had opposed his candidacy. \u201cJoe Gruters has taken major positions that are totally contrary from what our voter base wants to do,\u201d DeSantis said earlier this month.<\/p>\n