No challengers for Trump-back candidate for RNC chair, Florida lawmaker now running unopposed

A Trump-backed Florida state senator appears set to become the next leader of the Republican National Committee, after he was the only candidate to bid for the post by the deadline Tuesday.

The lawmaker, state GOP Sen. Joe Gruters, will replace Chairman Michael Whatley, who is leaving his post to run in the 2026 North Carolina Senate race for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis. 

President Donald Trump endorsed Gruters in late July.

The formal vote will be on Aug. 22 at the RNC summer meeting in Atlanta, according to Politico.