Republican National Committee

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Republican National Committee (RNC)
RNC logo.JPG
Basic facts
Location:Washington, D.C.
Top official:Ronna Romney McDaniel, Chairwoman
Year founded:1856
Website:Official website

CongressLogo.png
Party Committees

Democratic National Committee (DNC)Republican National Committee (RNC)

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC)

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC)

Fundraising
2019-20202018

The Republican National Committee (RNC) provides national leadership for the Republican Party, one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States.

The RNC is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican Party platform as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is also responsible for organizing and running the Republican National Convention every four years.

The members of the RNC include the national leadership and the chair of the state Republican Party the District of Columbia, and each of the U.S. states and territories.[1][2]

The RNC's main counterpart is the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

To read about the RNC's recent political activity, click here. To read about the RNC's recent fundraising reports, click here.

About party committees[edit]

See also: Party committee fundraising, 2019-2020

Both Democrats and Republicans have three major party committees. The national committee's purpose involves oversight of the presidential nominating process as well as supporting party candidates with research, polling and funding in races across the country. Each party also has two Hill committees, one each for the House and Senate, which are dedicated to helping elect candidates from their party to Congress and helping incumbents win re-election.

During the 2018 election cycle, these six committees were each among the top 10 spenders in congressional elections with a combined $1.3 billion in spending.[3] During the 2020 campaign cycle, the same six party committees—three Democratic committees and three Republican committees—raised a combined $2.650 billion ($1.510 billion across the three Republican committees and $1.140 billion across the three Democratic committees).

Leadership[edit]

National party leadership[edit]

The following table lists the national leadership of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Republican Party as of October 2021:[4][5]

Title Officer State
Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel Michigan
Co-chairman Thomas Hicks Jr. Texas
Treasurer Ron Kaufman Massachusetts
Secretary Vicki Drummond Alabama
General counsel Kyle Hupfer Indiana
Senate Republican leader Senator Mitch McConnell Kentucky
Senate Republican whip Senator John Thune South Dakota
Senate Republican Conference chairman Senator John Barrasso Wyoming
Senate Republican Policy Committee chairman Senator Roy Blunt Missouri
Senate Republican Conference vice chairwoman Senator Joni Ernst Iowa
Senatorial Campaign chairman Senator Rick Scott Florida
House Republican leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy California
House Republican whip Rep. Steve Scalise Louisiana
House Republican Conference chairwoman Rep. Elise Stefanik New York
House Republican Conference vice chairman Rep. Mike Johnson Louisiana
House Republican Conference secretary Rep. Richard Hudson North Carolina
House Republican Policy Committee chairman Rep. Gary Palmer Alabama
Governors Association chairman[6] Governor Doug Ducey Arizona
Congressional Campaign chairman[7] Rep. Tom Emmer Minnesota

2017 RNC chair election[edit]

On December 14, 2016, then-President-elect Donald Trump (R) announced his selection of Michigan Republican Party Chair Ronna McDaniel to succeed Reince Priebus as chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC). As RNC chair, McDaniel is responsible for shaping the GOP’s official messaging and strategy through the 2020 elections.

Trump also announced his selection of Republican strategist Bob Paduchik to serve as RNC co-chairman. The members of the RNC officially elected McDaniel as chairwoman and Paduchik as co-chairman on January 19, 2017.[8][9][10]

The New York Times reported that McDaniel supported Trump throughout the 2016 campaign and cultivated a close relationship with the president-elect. "Ronna has been extremely loyal to our movement and her efforts were critical to our tremendous victory in Michigan, and I know she will bring the same passion to the Republican National Committee," Trump said on announcing the selection.[8] McDaniel also had the backing of outgoing chairman Reince Priebus.[11]

Prior to the announcement of McDaniel's selection, the list of individuals named by media outlets as potential contenders for the position included New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, RNC state party director Matt Pinnell, lobbyist David Urban, former Republican Governors Association executive director Nick Ayers, and RNC member David Bossie.[9][12][13][14]

Historical chairpersons[edit]

The following table is a historical list of past and present chairpersons of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Click "show" on the box below to view the full list.[15]

State party leadership[edit]

The following table lists the state and territory chairpersons of the Republican National Committee (RNC), as of October 2021. Click "show" on the box below to view the full list.[16]


Republican Party platform and policy stances[edit]

Platform[edit]

The Republican National Committee (RNC) drafts a party platform every four years. The platform outlines the official principles, policy stances, and priorities of the Republican Party. It also helps the party's candidates to shape their messages and the party to hold candidates accountable to the broader party consensus.

2020[edit]

See also: The Republican Party Platform, 2020

In 2020, the RNC adopted a resolution stating that it would continue to use the 2016 platform rather than adopt a new platform. The resolution affirmed the party's support for President Trump (R).

2016[edit]

See also: The Republican Platform and RNC Platform Committee, 2016

2012[edit]

See also: The Republican Party Platform, 2012

2008[edit]

See also: The Republican Party Platform, 2008

History and policy issues[edit]

The website for the RNC provides a history of the GOP and its policy stances. Click "show" on the boxes below for more information.[17]

Election activity[edit]

2020-21 elections[edit]

U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia[edit]

CBS News reported that the RNC planned to spend at least 10 million toward the January 5, 2021, U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia.[18]

Click the links below for more on Georgia's Senate runoff races:

Donor program with Trump campaign[edit]

For the 2020 campaign cycle, the RNC merged its fundraising efforts with those of President Donald Trump's (R) re-election campaign.[19] In May 2019, the joint group launched a donor program aimed at encouraging supporters to gather donations from others, also known as bundling contributions. Supporters who raised $25,000 were invited to join the "Trump Train", those who raised $45,000 were invited to "Club 45", and those who raised $100,000 were invited to "The Builder's Club". Participation in each tier included benefits such as invitations to leadership dinners and retreats and access to conference calls with party leadership.[20]

2018 elections[edit]

Shutdown campaign[edit]

The federal government shut down from January 20, 2018, to January 22, 2018, after Congress failed to pass a bill to fund the government. The Hill reported on January 22, 2018, that the RNC had invested six figures in robocalls and paid targeted Facebook posts against Democratic senators who voted against the bill.[21]

The five senators targeted in the campaign—Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)—were up for re-election in 2018 in states that voted for President Donald Trump (R) in 2016. The robocalls, which went out to 2.6 million voters, said, "It is infuriating, it is petty, and YOU deserve better from your elected official. Demand that your Senator do their job — vote to fund the government, support our military, and provide health care for millions of American children."[21]

Midterm election preparations[edit]

In a January 2018 op-ed for Fox News, McDaniel reported that the RNC had started its 2018 ground operations. "Our Political Department has expanded our presence nationwide, bringing field staff and 22 state directors to key states in preparation for this year's midterm elections," she said. "Under their leadership, field staff have knocked on nearly 4 million doors and made nearly 8 million phone calls to engage Americans across the country on the issues that matter most to them."[22]

The outlet Morning Consult reported in December 2017 that state GOP affiliates had been targeting voters in 2018 battleground states with a field campaign for the GOP tax bill. McDaniel described the campaign, which included an estimated 364,000 door-to-door contacts and 145,000 phone calls between the first week of September and December 14, as "a blueprint as we work to expand our majorities in 2018 and beyond."[23]

In March 2018, the RNC announced it would hire 170 permanent staffers, bringing its total to over 300, and deploy them to 25 states ahead of the midterms. "Our record-breaking fundraising has fueled our ability to continue our permanent, data-driven field program in 25 states, including every battleground state," McDaniel said in a statement to NBC News about the new hiring.[24]

2016 elections[edit]

Ground operation concerns[edit]

The Republican National Committee (RNC) released a memo on May 26, 2016, stating that the organization would double its field staff in key battleground states.[25]

On May 27, 2016, Politico reported that a lack of financial support among high-level donors for the party's presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, had resulted in a fundraising shortfall for the RNC. The financial shortage had prevented the RNC from implementing effective field operations across a number of battleground states. According to Politico, many Republican campaign staffers felt that the RNC had been too slow to roll out ground operations and questioned the RNC's ability to provide adequate field support.[25]

2014 elections[edit]

Strategy[edit]

In a memo released in October 2013, RNC spokesman Sean Spicer outlined the strategy the organization would be taking in the 2014 midterm elections. Excerpts included:

  • "The lesson from 2012 is we must have a permanent ground game. We must engage with voters year-round in their communities, especially in Hispanic, African American and Asian Pacific communities."
    • In their first radio ads of the 2014 cycle, the organization ran Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean versions.[26]
  • "So, while in the past, we may have measured the RNC’s success by the amount of cash we had piled up three months before Election Day, that will no longer be the case. We’re investing that money now and will continue to do so."[27]

January 2014 ad[edit]

The RNC released its first radio ads of the 2014 cycle in early January. The ads targeted vulnerable Democrats over the Affordable Care Act using the following template:

"President Obama and [Senator/Representative] said if you like your insurance plan you can keep it under Obamacare. They lied to you. 2014 is your chance to hold [Senator/Representative] accountable. Tell him this is one New Year’s resolution you’re sticking to."[28]

Conventions[edit]

2020 Republican National Convention[edit]

See also: Republican National Convention, 2020

The Republican Party held its national convention from August 24-27, 2020.[29]

Limited in-person events took place in Charlotte, North Carolina.[30] On July 23, 2020, President Donald Trump announced that high-profile convention events previously moved to Jacksonville, Florida, including his nomination acceptance speech, had been canceled for public health and safety reasons. Trump formally accepted the party's nomination from the White House.[31][32][33]

The convention was originally scheduled to take place entirely in Charlotte but statewide restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic led to the convention's planned relocation to Jacksonville.[34] The Republican National Committee Executive Committee voted to downsize the convention in Charlotte, reducing the number of in-person delegates from 2,500 to 336. The committee also decided to adopt the 2016 platform again since the Platform Committee would not be meeting.[35]

At the convention, party delegates typically select the Republican presidential nominee and vote to adopt a platform outlining the party's policy priorities and values. According to presidential historian Tevi Troy, however, "conventions today remain largely party advertising opportunities rather than fora for real decision-making."[36]

Charlotte, North Carolina[edit]

Charlotte, North Carolina, hosted portions of the 2020 Republican National Convention. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said of the city, "It's perfect to host a convention. First of all, it's the hospitality city. You've got great hotels, you've got great food, you've got friendly people. We want to make this a great experience for Charlotte, and we appreciate the whole team—the mayor, the city council, everyone who has worked so hard to get our convention there."[37]

2016 Republican National Convention[edit]

See also: Republican National Convention, 2016

The 2016 Republican National Convention took place at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, from July 18 to July 21, 2016.

All 168 members of the RNC were automatic delegates to the national convention. The 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories had three RNC members each. Delegates were allocated or pledged to candidates according to the rules of the state or territorial party. Most states allowed their RNC members to decide independently which candidate to support.[38]

Presidential nominating calendar[edit]

On January 24, 2014, the RNC voted to move the Republican nominating convention to an earlier date in the summer of 2016. Traditionally, the party's conventions had been held in late August of presidential years. The committee also pushed states to adopt a February to May primary schedule rather than the longer January to June schedule of previous elections.[39]

Possible brokered convention[edit]

See also: Brokered conventions

On December 10, 2015, The Washington Post reported that the Republican National Committee had begun to make preparations for a potential brokered convention. The Post said that "the groundwork for a floor fight" against Trump was discussed at a meeting of 20 party officials on December 7, 2015.[40]

Trump said he would be at a disadvantage in a brokered convention. "I'd be going up against guys who grew up with each other, who know each other intimately and I don’t know who they are, okay?" he said. "That’s a big disadvantage."[40]

Donald Trump nomination[edit]

See also: Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016
See also: What happened last night at the nomination vote?

Donald Trump became the Republican presidential nominee on July 19, 2016. He received the support of an additional 89 delegates over and above the 1,237 required to earn the nomination. Then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) was named as the party's vice presidential nominee.[41]

Historical Republican National Conventions[edit]

The following table lists the Republican National Conventions organized by the Republican National Committee (RNC):[42]

Year Location RNC nominee
1856 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania John C. Fremont
1860 Chicago, Illinois Abraham Lincoln
1864 Baltimore, Maryland Abraham Lincoln
1868 Chicago, Illinois Ulysses Grant
1872 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ulysses Grant
1876 Cincinnati, Ohio Rutherford B. Hayes
1880 Chicago, Illinois James Garfield
1884 Chicago, Illinois James G. Blaine
1888 Chicago, Illinois Benjamin Harrison
1892 Minneapolis, Minnesota Benjamin Harrison
1896 St. Louis, Missouri William McKinley
1900 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania William McKinley
1904 Chicago, Illinois Theodore Roosevelt
1908 Chicago, Illinois William Howard Taft
1912 Chicago, Illinois William Howard Taft
1916 Chicago, Illinois Charles Evan Hughes
1920 Chicago, Illinois Warren G. Harding
1924 Cleveland, Ohio Calvin Coolidge
1928 Kansas City, Kansas Herbert Hoover
1932 Chicago, Illinois Herbert Hoover
1936 Cleveland, Ohio Alfred Landon
1940 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wendell Willkie
1944 Chicago, Illinois Thomas Dewey
1948 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thomas Dewey
1952 Chicago, Illinois Dwight Eisenhower
1956 San Francisco, California Dwight Eisenhower
1960 Chicago, Illinois Richard Nixon
1964 San Francisco, California Barry Goldwater
1968 Miami Beach, Florida Richard Nixon
1972 Miami Beach, Florida Richard Nixon
1976 Kansas City, Kansas Gerald Ford
1980 Detroit, Michigan Ronald Reagan
1984 Dallas, Texas Ronald Reagan
1988 New Orleans, Louisiana George H. W. Bush
1992 Houston, Texas George H. W. Bush
1996 San Diego, California Bob Dole
2000 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania George W. Bush
2004 New York, New York George W. Bush
2008 St. Paul, Minnesota John McCain
2012 Tampa, Florida Mitt Romney
2016 Cleveland, Ohio Donald Trump
2020 Charlotte, North Carolina Donald Trump

Subsidiaries of the RNC[edit]

Subsidiaries of the Republican National Committee
Republican Governors Association
National Republican Senatorial Committee
National Republican Congressional Committee
Republican State Leadership Committee
Republican Legislative Campaign Committee

The following organizations operate as subsidiaries of the Republican National Committee:

Republican Governors Association[edit]

See also: Republican Governors Association

The Republican Governors Association has the following mission statement:

The Republican Governors Association helps elect Republicans to governorships throughout the nation and provides them with the resources to help them govern effectively.[43][44]

National Republican Senatorial Committee[edit]

See also: National Republican Senatorial Committee

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has the following mission statement:

The NRSC (National Republican Senatorial Committee) is the only national organization solely devoted to strengthening the Republican Senate Majority and electing Republicans to the United States Senate.


We provide invaluable support and assistance to current and prospective Republican U.S. Senate candidates in the areas of budget planning, election law compliance, fundraising, communications tools and messaging, and research and strategy.[45][44]

National Republican Congressional Committee[edit]

See also: National Republican Congressional Committee

The National Republican Congressional Committee has the following mission statement:

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is a political committee devoted to increasing the number of Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives.


The NRCC’s origins date back to 1866, when the Republican caucuses of the House and Senate formed a “Congressional Committee.” Today, the NRCC is organized under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code. It supports the election of Republicans to the House through direct financial contributions to candidates and Republican Party organizations; technical and research assistance to Republican candidates and Party organizations; voter registration, education and turnout programs; and other Party-building activities.[46][44]

Republican State Leadership Committee[edit]

See also: Republican State Leadership Committee

The Republican State Leadership Committee has the following mission statement:

Through innovative strategies and record-breaking support across all 50 states, we successfully recruit and elect Republicans to state legislatures and to the offices of lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and statewide agriculture official. Through our Judicial Fairness Initiative, we also work to elect conservative judges to state courts.[47][44]

Republican Legislative Campaign Committee[edit]

See also: Republican Legislative Campaign Committee

The Republican Legislative Campaign Committee has the following mission statement:

The RSLC’s largest footprint in the states is rooted in the historic work of its legislative caucus: the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee (RLCC) - the only national organization dedicated exclusively to electing Republicans to state legislatures. RLCC faces a tall order with thousands of races on the ballot every major election cycle. Since 2003, RLCC has consistently delivered positive results by targeting national resources to support state races. Republicans currently hold majorities in 61 of 99 state legislative chambers.[48][44]

Finances[edit]

Annual overview[edit]

The following table identifies total annual federal receipts and disbursements for the RNC according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission:[49]

Annual federal receipts and disbursements for the RNC, 2010-2020
Year Federal receipts Federal disbursements
2020 $649,368,149.53 $640,827,637.80
2019 $241,127,767.71 $192,640,225.94
2018 $192,326,315.41 $207,643,382.80
2017 $132,510,489.29 $119,019,872.26
2016 $237,746,967.37 $231,142,738.37
2015 $105,624,232.74 $91,915,393.94
2014 $114,150,210.48 $118,292,925.06
2013 $80,710,922.39 $76,315,275.82
2012 $302,091,143.53 $317,336,184.19
2011 $88,125,779.57 $68,844,381.37
2010 $105,162,527.87 $112,858,821.37

2021-2022[edit]

See also: Party committee fundraising, 2021-2022

The Republican National Committee (RNC) reported the following fundraising amounts for the 2021-22 election cycle:

Monthly fundraising for the RNC for the 2021-22 election cycle
Month
(Dates covered)
Total receipts Total disbursements Cash on hand (end of month) Debts owed (end of month) FEC document
October 2021
(Sept. 1-30, 2021)
$12,716,704.63 $16,632,042.13 $70,671,552.51 $0.00 Filing
September 2021
(Aug. 1-31, 2021)
$12,210,752.07 $16,663,178.53 $74,586,890.01 $0.00 Filing
August 2021
(July 1-31, 2021)
$12,946,981.16 $15,648,931.75 $79,039,316.47 $0.00 Filing
July 2021
(June 1-30, 2021)
$16,304,064.37 $13,395,512.69 $81,741,267.06 $0.00 Filing
June 2021
(May 1-31, 2021)
$11,075,948.94 $22,720,743.83 $78,832,715.38 $0.00 Filing
May 2021
(April 1-30, 2021)
$13,167,034.69 $9,301,874.94 $90,477,510.27 $0.00 Filing
April 2021
(March 1-31, 2021)
$17,805,350.00 $15,143,902.85 $86,612,350.52 $0.00 Filing
March 2021
(Feb. 1-28, 2021)
$10,382,510.03 $10,162,016.13 $83,950,903.37 $0.00 Filing
February 2021
(Jan. 1-31, 2021)
$16,259,533.79 $13,058,739.25 $83,730,409.47 $0.00 Filing

2019-2020[edit]

See also: Party committee fundraising, 2019-2020

The Republican National Committee (RNC) reported the following fundraising amounts for the 2019-20 election cycle:

Monthly fundraising for the RNC for the 2019-20 election cycle
Month
(Dates covered)
Total receipts Total disbursements Cash on hand (end of month) Debts owed (end of month) FEC document
Year-End 2020
(Nov. 24 - Dec. 31, 2020)
$45,331,166.02 $23,579,365.43 $80,529,614.93 $0.00 Filing
Post-General 2020
(Oct. 15 - Nov. 23, 2020)
$202,519,965.09 $217,284,232.93 $58,777,814.34 $0.00 Filing
Pre-General 2020
(Oct. 1-14, 2020)
$38,190,836.28 $42,777,172.98 $73,542,082.18 $0.00 Filing
October 2020
(Sept. 1-30, 2020)
$71,782,164.50 $108,581,187.93 $78,128,418.88 $0.00 Filing
September 2020
(Aug. 1-31, 2020)
$67,616,034.19 $62,580,050.84 $114,927,442.31 $0.00 Filing
August 2020
(July 1-31, 2020)
$55,321,855.77 $45,610,653.21 $109,891,458.96 $0.00 Filing
July 2020
(June 1-30, 2020)
$36,859,354.76 $19,027,235.54 $100,180,256.40 $0.00 Filing
June 2020
(May 1-31, 2020)
$27,169,788.75 $22,032,532.31 $82,348,137.18 $0.00 Filing
May 2020
(Apr. 1-30, 2020)
$27,127,607.16 $27,031,419.79 $77,210,880.74 $0.00 Filing
April 2020
(Mar. 1-31, 2020)
$24,043,346.29 $23,774,342.27 $77,114,693.37 $0.00 Filing
March 2020
(Feb. 1-29, 2020)
$26,223,544.87 $25,395,993.44 $76,845,689.35 $0.00 Filing
February 2020
(Jan. 1-31, 2020)
$27,182,485.85 $23,153,451.13 $76,018,137.92 $0.00 Filing
Year-End 2019
(Dec. 1-31, 2019)
$26,480,886.26 $17,725,174.70 $71,989,103.20 $0.00 Filing
December 2019
(Nov. 1-30, 2019)
$20,627,420.30 $18,775,994.29 $63,233,391.64 $0.00 Filing
November 2019
(Oct. 1-31, 2019)
$25,273,354.01 $23,055,154.93 $61,381,965.63 $0.00 Filing
October 2019
(Sept. 1-30, 2019)
$27,324,070.15 $21,999,170.54 $59,163,766.55 $0.00 Filing
September 2019
(Aug. 1-31, 2019)
$23,473,277.83 $16,227,282.89 $53,838,866.94 $0.00 Filing
August 2019
(July 1-31, 2019)
$20,807,560.80 $17,704,677.74 $46,592,872.00 $0.00 Filing
July 2019
(June 1-30, 2019)
$20,757,266.54 $14,298,081.17 $43,489,988.94 $0.00 Filing
June 2019
(May 1-31, 2019)
$14,629,612.03 $12,327,598.68 $37,030,803.57 $0.00 Filing
May 2019
(Apr. 1-30, 2019)
$15,926,679.32 $14,334,733.60 $34,728,790.22 $0.00 Filing
April 2019
(Mar. 1-31, 2019)
$15,534,378.27 $13,538,812.83 $33,136,826.50 $0.00 Filing
March 2019
(Feb. 1-28, 2019)
$14,634,014.65 $12,065,038.13 $31,141,261.06 $0.00 Filing
February 2019
(Jan. 1-31, 2019)
$15,659,229.55 $10,588,506.44 $28,572,284.54 $0.00 Filing

2018[edit]

See also: Fundraising in Congressional elections, 2018

The Republican National Committee (RNC) reported the following fundraising amounts for the 2017-18 election cycle:

Monthly fundraising for the RNC for the 2017-18 election cycle
Month Total contributions Total Disbursements Cash on hand (end of month) Debts Owed (end of month) FEC document
December 2018 $7,906,734 $11,413,496 $23,501,561 $0 Filing
Post-general election 2018 $33,345,773 $40,574,439 $27,008,324 $0 Filing
Pre-general election 2018 $13,700,450 $30,771,008 $34,236,991 $0 Filing
September 2018 $26,244,823 $16,691,831 $51,307,548 $0 Filing
August 2018 $16,400,765 $16,513,743 $41,754,556 $0 Filing
July 2018 $14,183,583 $23,003,658 $41,867,534 $0 Filing
June 2018 $13,930,558 $10,645,032 $50,687,610 $0 Filing
May 2018 $14,581,917 $11,011,181 $47,402,084 $0 Filing
April 2018 $12,999,856 $12,127,391 $43,831,348 $0 Filing
March 2018 $13,866,715 $13,350,362 $42,958,883 $1,237 Filing
February 2018 $12,758,961 $11,067,107 $42,442,531 $0 Filing
January 2018 $12,406,181 $10,474,133 $40,750,676 $0 Filing
December 2017 $11,091,945 $12,112,205 $38,818,629 $0 Filing
November 2017 $8,193,273 $10,872,550 $39,838,889 $0 Filing
October 2017 $9,158,074 $10,729,710 $42,518,165 $0 Filing
September 2017 $10,811,018 $12,552,609 $44,089,801 $0 Filing
August 2017 $7,257,739 $8,527,826 $45,831,392 $0 Filing
July 2017 $10,599,628 $8,205,367 $47,101,479 $203 Filing
June 2017 $13,504,415 $10,629,234 $44,707,217 $203 Filing
May 2017 $10,868,580 $10,446,978 $41,832,037 $203 Filing
April 2017 $9,588,449 $9,533,359 $41,410,435 $0 Filing
March 2017 $12,140,687 $10,022,461 $41,355,345 $0 Filing
February 2017 $9,507,806 $7,053,538 $39,237,118 $0 Filing
January 2017 $19,788,873 $8,334,033 $36,782,851 $0 Filing
December 2016 - - $25,328,011 $0 Filing

Noteworthy events[edit]

Ruling ending consent decree, 2018[edit]

In January 2018, U.S. District Court Judge John Michael Vazquez issued a ruling ending a consent decree limiting election activities by the RNC. The decree was initially imposed in response to alleged Republican targeting of minority communities during the 1981 gubernatorial election in New Jersey. It specified that the RNC should not conduct "ballot security activities" in communities with large populations of minority voters "where a purpose or significant effect of such activities is to deter qualified voters from voting."[50]

The decree was set to expire on December 1, 2017, but Democrats argued that Republicans had violated the decree and that it should be extended. Vazquez, who was nominated to the district court by President Barack Obama (D) in 2015, found that Democrats had not provided sufficient evidence that the decree had been violated.[51]

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) questioned the decision to end the decree. "The rhetoric of the Republican Party has been irresponsible, has been dangerous, and could possibly even incite problems at polling sites," he said. "So the timing of this is problematic to me. I think this consent decree was serving a good purpose and I wish this was not done now."[51] RNC spokesman Michael Ahrens said, "We are gratified that the judge recognized our full compliance with the consent decree and rejected the DNC's baseless claims." He said that the ruling "will allow the RNC to work more closely with state parties and campaigns to do what we do best, ensure that more people vote through our unmatched field program."[51]

On January 31, 2018, the DNC filed notice of its intention to appeal Vazquez's ruling.[52] "The DNC is committed to defending our democracy from those that would use targeted voter suppression efforts to win elections, as the GOP has repeatedly done," DNC Chair Tom Perez said in a statement released after the filing. "[President Donald] Trump and the RNC have encouraged a false narrative on voter fraud that has resulted in increased GOP efforts to restrict access to the ballot. Continuing the court’s consent decree is an important part of ensuring voters’ most fundamental rights are protected, which is why we are appealing."[53] On January 7, 2019, the court rejected the DNC's appeal.[54]

Correll v. Herring, 2016[edit]

See also: Correll v. Herring and Conscience clause and the Republican National Convention, 2016

On June 24, 2016, Carroll Boston “Beau” Correll Jr., a district-level delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention representing Virginia's 10th Congressional District, filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of himself and other Republican and Democratic delegates in the state. The suit sought to prevent the enforcement of Section 24.2-545(D) of the Virginia Code, which required delegates to vote for the winner of the state party's presidential primary on the first convention ballot.[55]

Donald Trump (R) and Hillary Clinton (D) won Virginia's Republican and Democratic presidential primaries, respectively. In his filing with the district court, Correll stipulated that he "believes that Donald Trump is unfit to serve as President of the United States" and that he would not vote for Trump on any ballot at the national convention. Instead, Correll said that he would "cast his vote on the first ballot … for a candidate whom he believes is fit to serve as President, thereby violating Section 545(D)."[56]

Correll filed his suit at the same time that conservative activists were pushing to unbind the delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention—at least in part to prevent Donald Trump from winning the party’s nomination for president. Some conservatives, such as North Dakota National Committeeman Curly Haugland and National Review writer David French, argued that the delegates were, in fact, already unbound at the convention. Others, such as Colorado delegates Kendal Unruh and Guy Short, argued that the convention should pass a rule allowing delegates to vote for a candidate other than the one to whom their state party’s rules would bind them if that vote would violate their conscience on religious or moral grounds.

In a memorandum opinion issued July 11, 2016, Judge Robert Payne ruled for Correll, permanently enjoining Virginia from enforcing Section 545(D).

Vote to ban NBC, CNN from debates, 2013[edit]

On August 16, 2013, the RNC voted unanimously to ban the media outlets NBC and CNN from the party's 2016 presidential primary debates unless they agreed not to air planned film projects about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.[57]

“We don't have time for the media's games,” RNC chair Priebus said before the vote at the RNC's 2013 summer meeting in Boston, “We’re done putting up with this nonsense. There are plenty of other news outlets.”[57]

The RNC described the planned films as “political favoritism” and accused the outlets of airing “programming that amounts to little more than extended commercials promoting former Secretary Clinton.”[57] NBC and CNN both canceled their plans to air the Clinton projects.[58]

Growth and Opportunity Project, 2013[edit]

Following Republican defeats in the 2012 election cycle, the RNC released a post-election review entitled the Growth and Opportunity Project. The 100-page report, which was released on March 18, 2013, included calls for increased outreach to women and minority groups, improved data and digital infrastructure, fewer presidential primary debates, and revamped fundraising and public relations strategies.[59][60][61]

"To be clear, our principles are sound, our principles are not old rusty thoughts in some book," said then-RNC chair Reince Priebus. He added that the "report notes the way we communicate our principles isn't resonating widely enough."[60]

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

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Additional reading[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

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  2. Republican National Committee, "State leadership," accessed October 14, 2016
  3. OpenSecrets, "Top Spending Committees 2018 Cycle," accessed May 23, 2019
  4. Republican National Committee, "National leadership," accessed August 21, 2021
  5. Congessional Institute, "Republican Leadership Positions," accessed September 22, 2021
  6. Republican Governors Association, "About," accessed August 21, 2021
  7. Republican Party, "National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman," accessed August 21, 2021
  8. 8.0 8.1 Politico, "Trump announces McDaniel to be his pick for RNC," December 14, 2016
  9. 9.0 9.1 Politico, "Short list emerges for RNC chair," November 14, 2016
  10. Townhall, "RNC elects Ronna Romney McDaniel as chairwoman," January 19, 2017
  11. The New York Times, "Donald Trump names top Michigan official to senior G.O.P. committee post," December 14, 2016
  12. Politico, "Christie throws his hat in the ring for RNC chair," December 1, 2016
  13. Time, "Chris Christie makes bid for Republican National Committee chair," December 1, 2016
  14. Politico, "Trump likely to pick McDaniel to lead RNC," December 9, 2016
  15. Political Graveyard, "Republican Party offices," accessed January 22, 2018
  16. GOP, "State Leadership," accessed August 21, 2021
  17. Republican National Committee', "History of the GOP," accessed September 1, 2020
  18. CBS News, "'Everybody is looking up to Georgia right now': Early voting kicks off in Senate runoffs," December 16, 2020
  19. Politico, "Trump launches unprecedented reelection machine," December 18, 2018
  20. National Public Radio, "For 2020, Trump Campaign Woos Big Donors Who Spurned It In 2016," May 6, 2019
  21. 21.0 21.1 The Hill, "RNC launches effort against red-state Dems over shutdown," January 22, 2018
  22. Fox News, "RNC chairwoman: Trump has made progress on his winning agenda for America," January 19, 2018
  23. Morning Consult, "Exclusive: GOP engages political ground game to defend tax overhaul in 2018," December 19, 2017
  24. NBC News, "Flush with cash and bracing for November, the RNC builds an army," March 12, 2018
  25. 25.0 25.1 Politico, "RNC scrambles to calm state GOP officials," May 27, 2016
  26. Politico, "RNC radio ads target Democrats on Obamacare," accessed January 7, 2014
  27. The Washington Post, "RNC now focusing on year-round ground game rather than TV ads," accessed October 28, 2013
  28. Politico, "RNC radio ads target Democrats on Obamacare," accessed January 7, 2014
  29. Spectrum Local News, "RNC dates set for Aug. 24 - 27, 2020 in Charlotte," October 1, 2018
  30. CNN, "In a reversal, Trump says he'll accept GOP nomination in North Carolina," July 28, 2020
  31. WSOC, "It’s official: Main event for RNC to be held in Florida instead of Charlotte," June 11, 2020
  32. NPR, "President Trump Cancels Jacksonville Portion Of Republican National Convention," July 23, 2020
  33. USA Today, "Trump cancels Jacksonville portion of Republican convention planned for August due to COVID-19," July 23, 2020
  34. National Review, "Trump to Seek Alternate City to Host RNC after N.C. Gov. Says He Cannot Guarantee 'Full Capacity' Event," June 3, 2020
  35. The Hill, "GOP votes to scale back Charlotte convention, move Trump acceptance speech," June 11, 2020
  36. National Affairs, "The Evolution of Party Conventions," accessed April 30, 2019
  37. Charlotte Observer, "GOP picks Charlotte for 2020 convention. Now, the fundraising and organizing begin," July 20, 2018
  38. Republican National Committee, "2016 presidential nominating process," accessed October 11, 2015
  39. The Washington Post, "RNC moves to shrink 2016 primary calendar," accessed January 27, 2014
  40. 40.0 40.1 The Washington Post, "GOP preparing for contested convention," December 10, 2015
  41. CNN, "It's official: Trump is Republican nominee," July 19, 2016
  42. About.com American History, "Republican National Conventions," accessed March 30, 2014
  43. Republican Governors Association, "Home," accessed April 9, 2021
  44. 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 44.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  45. National Republican Senatorial Committee, "About Us," accessed April 9, 2021
  46. National Republican Congressional Committee, "About," accessed April 9, 2021
  47. Republican State Leadership Committee, "Republican State Leadership Committee," accessed April 9, 2021
  48. Republican State Leadership Committee, "Republican Legislative Campaign Committee," accessed April 9, 2021
  49. Federal Election Commission, "Republican National Committee—ID: C00003418," accessed February 11, 2021
  50. NJ Advance Media, "Judge in Trump voter intimidation suit wants to know if campaign coordinated with GOP," November 1, 2016
  51. 51.0 51.1 51.2 NJ Advance Media, "Judge rules on N.J. voter intimidation case that curbed Republicans across the U.S." January 9, 2018
  52. Talking Points Memo, "Dems will appeal court decision allowing RNC poll watching," February 1, 2018
  53. Democratic National Committee, "Statement: DNC to appeal to continue RNC consent decree," February 2, 2018
  54. Politico, "DNC loses appeal on Republican election tactics," January 7, 2019
  55. Case Studies in Emergency Election Litigation, "Conscience voting at a national convention, Correll v. Herring," accessed May 25, 2017
  56. U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Correll v. Herring: Complaint, filed June 24, 2016
  57. 57.0 57.1 57.2 The Hill, "Republican National Committee votes to ban NBC, CNN from debates," accessed August 28, 2013
  58. USA Today, "CNN, NBC cancel Hillary Clinton film projects," September 30, 2013
  59. Republican National Committee, "Growth and Opportunity Project," accessed May 25, 2017
  60. 60.0 60.1 ABC News, "RNC completes 'autopsy' on 2012 loss, calls for inclusion not Policy change," March 18, 2013
  61. ABC News, "GOP: Re-boot, re-brand, re-think (The note)," March 18, 2013

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