RALEIGH — Jason Simmons, executive director of the North Carolina Republican Party, has declared his candidacy to replace Michael Whatley as NCGOP chairman.
Simmons joined NCGOP following the 2020 election after serving on Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020.
Whatley left the role last week after being hand-picked by Trump to serve as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Trump’s daughter-in-law, Wilmington native Lara Trump, was named co-chair.
U.S. Sen. Ted Budd has already endorsed Simmons for the position, and the NCGOP executive committee will vote on March 26. No other candidates have yet emerged for the position.
