Longtime Trump ally Gruters expected to succeed Whatley as Republican Party chair

ATLANTA, GA - Incoming Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Joe Gruters will formally take over steering the national party committee on Friday.

RNC committee members are expected to elect Gruters - who has the backing of President Donald Trump - as chair, as they finish up business at their summer meeting, which they are holding this year in battleground Georgia's capital and biggest city.

Gruters, a Florida state senator, RNC committee member from the Sunshine State, the national party committee's treasurer, and a longtime Trump ally, will succeed chair Michael Whatley, who is stepping down as he runs for the Senate in North Carolina in the blockbuster race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis.

 "I have somebody who will do a wonderful job as the Chai...