Republican National Committee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Republican National Committee

Headquarters (2024)
Founded	June 1856; 169 years ago
Location	310 First Street SE, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Key people	Chair: Michael Whatley Co-Chair: KC Crosbie Finance Chair: JD Vance Secretary: Vicki Drummond Treasurer: Joe Gruters
Affiliations	Republican Party

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is the main group that helps lead the Republican Party in the United States. Its members are chosen by representatives from each state at a big meeting called the national convention, which happens every four years. The RNC works to share the Republican Party's ideas and plans. It also helps with raising money and planning how to win elections.

The RNC does not tell elected officials what to do directly. It is also in charge of organizing the Republican National Convention. When a Republican is president, the White House often guides the committee's work. Similar groups exist in every U.S. state and most counties. Michael Whatley is the current chairman of the committee. The Democratic Party has a similar group called the Democratic National Committee.

History of the RNC

The first RNC was created in 1856 at the 1856 Republican National Convention. It started with one member from each state and territory. This idea of equal representation for each state has continued ever since. From 1924 to 1952, there was one man and one woman from each state and U.S. area.

In 1952, more members were added. These included state party leaders from states that voted Republican in the last presidential election. They also included states with mostly Republican members in Congress or Republican governors. By 1968, the RNC had 145 members. As of 2011, there are 168 members.

Only one person has been both the RNC chair and later a U.S. president: George H. W. Bush.

In 2013, the RNC started a program to connect with young people and minority voters. This happened after studies showed that these groups felt the Republican Party did not understand their concerns.

During Donald Trump's presidency, the RNC strongly supported him. The RNC ran ads for his 2020 campaign early on. It also hired many of his campaign workers.

In February 2022, the RNC criticized two Republican representatives, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. This was because they were part of a special committee looking into the events of January 6th, 2021. The RNC said this committee was a "Democrat-led persecution." Many politicians and news groups from both parties disagreed with this statement.

In May 2024, The Associated Press reported that the RNC had started working with groups that question election results. This was part of a larger trend where more Republican leaders and RNC officials were part of this movement.

What the RNC Does

The main job of the Republican National Committee is to help the Republican Party of the United States. It helps to share the party's ideas and improve its public image. The RNC focuses more on how to run campaigns and organize the party. It does not focus as much on creating new laws.

The RNC helps to plan how to raise money and how to win elections. It also organizes and runs the Republican National Convention.

Jim Nicholson, a former RNC chairman, explained that the party's role has changed. He said that outside groups now have more money. This means the party itself has less money and less power than it used to.

How the RNC is Organized

As of January 17, 2025, Michael Whatley is the chairman of the Republican National Committee. KC Crosbie is the co-chair.

The previous chair was Ronna McDaniel, who served from 2017 to 2024. Before that, McDaniel was the chair of the Michigan Republican Party.

In January 2019, Thomas O. Hicks Jr. became the co-chairman of the RNC. Hicks had worked closely with former President Trump's campaigns.

Similar committees to the RNC exist in every U.S. state. They are also in most U.S. counties. The RNC also organizes volunteer groups for different interests. These include groups like Black Republican Activists, GOP Hispanics, RNC Women, GOP Faith, Asian Pacific Americans, Young Leaders, and Veterans & Military Families.

Chairs of the Republican National Committee

Chair Elections

1993 Election

     Candidate won majority of votes in the round

     Candidate secured a plurality of votes in the round

     Candidate withdrew

1997 Election

     Candidate won majority of votes in the round

     Candidate secured a plurality of votes in the round

     Candidate withdrew

• Merrill and Norcross both dropped out after the fifth round, giving the chairmanship to Nicholson by acclamation.

2009 Election

On November 24, 2008, Michael Steele started his campaign to become RNC chairman. On January 30, 2009, Steele won the chairmanship in the sixth round of voting. He received 91 votes, while Katon Dawson received 77.

     Candidate won majority of votes in the round

     Candidate secured a plurality of votes in the round

     Candidate withdrew

After the third round of voting, Steele had a small lead over the current chairman, Mike Duncan. Duncan then dropped out. Ken Blackwell, another candidate, also dropped out and supported Steele. After the fifth round, Steele had a ten-vote lead over Katon Dawson. Saul Anuzis then dropped out. Finally, Steele won the chairmanship over Dawson.

Former RNC chair Haley Barbour suggested that the party should focus on elections for Congress and governors. He said they should not worry about the next presidential election too early.

2011 Election

Chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus at the Western Republican Leadership Conference in October 2011 in Las Vegas

Michael Steele ran for re-election in 2011. Other candidates included Reince Priebus, Ann Wagner, Saul Anuzis, and Maria Cino. Many people who disagreed with Steele wanted him to step down. The election for chairman happened on January 14 at the RNC's winter meeting. Reince Priebus won on the seventh ballot after Steele and Wagner left the race.

     Candidate won majority of votes in the round

     Candidate secured a plurality of votes in the round

     Candidate withdrew

2013–2023 Elections

Priebus was re-elected almost unanimously in 2013. He was re-elected for a third term in 2015. This made him the longest-serving head of the party at that time.

After winning the election in November 2016, President-elect Donald Trump chose Priebus to be his White House Chief of Staff.

Trump then suggested Ronna Romney McDaniel to be the RNC Chairwoman. She was elected to that role in January 2017. McDaniel was re-elected in 2019 and 2021. Mike Lindell challenged McDaniel in 2023. Lindell said McDaniel did not strongly enough question the 2020 presidential election results. He also criticized her for leading the RNC during three difficult election years. McDaniel was re-elected for a fourth term in January 2023. She easily won against Lindell and Harmeet Dhillon.

     Candidate won majority of votes in the round

2024 Election

On February 6, 2024, The New York Times reported that Ronna McDaniel planned to step down. This was after former president Donald Trump publicly supported North Carolina Republican Party chair Michael Whatley.

McDaniel confirmed her resignation on February 26, 2024. She and Drew McKissick announced they would leave their roles as chair and co-chair on March 8, 2024. Later that day, Michael Whatley said he would seek the RNC chair position.

Lara Trump, Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, also announced on February 28 that she would seek to be co-chair. Both Whatley and Trump were supported by former President Trump.

Whatley and Trump were both chosen as chair and co-chair of the Republican National Committee on March 8, 2024.

2025 Election

Whatley was re-elected as RNC chair on January 17, 2025. KC Crosbie, who was supported by Donald Trump, was elected as co-chair. Lara Trump chose not to continue in the role.

Current RNC Members

Here is a list of the voting members of the Republican National Committee, as of April 10, 2025. The state chair, national committeeman, and national committeewoman each get one vote at RNC meetings. They also vote for the RNC chairmanship.

Para Bellum Labs

In February 2014, the RNC started a special technology group called Para Bellum Labs. This group was led by Azarias Reda, a computer science engineer. The goal of this group is to help the Republican Party and its candidates use technology better. The name "Para bellum" comes from Latin and means "prepare for war."

See also

In Spanish: Comité Nacional Republicano para niños

• Democratic National Committee
• Green National Committee
• Libertarian National Committee
• Republicans Overseas