North Carolina's ties to the 2024 Republican National Convention run deep.
Day 1 of the RNC saw the vote to officially have former President Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election. It also introduced the nation to some prominent North Carolinians. The Republican National Committee’s chair Michael Whately and co-chair Lara Trump both are from the Tar Heel state.
Beyond the state's delegates at the RNC, there are other North Carolinians at the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who spoke on the first night and are slated to take the stage this week.
Here's a look behind the people from the Tar Heel state at the RNC.
Who is Michael Whatley?
Before becoming the chair of the Republican National Committee, Whately was North Carolina's Republican Party chairman.
Beyond that, the Watauga County native's resume spans years with the Republican Party, including serving as a senior official in the George W. Bush administration, chief of staff for U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and an adviser on the Trump-Pence campaign
He also backed Trump’s false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Whatley also pushed to censure former Republican Sen. Richard Burr after he voted to convict Trump for his alleged role in inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Is Lara Trump from North Carolina?
Lara Trump called Wilmington, North Carolina home before becoming part of the Trump family
Before becoming the co-chair of the Republican National Committee, Lara Trump was a story coordinator and producer for the TV news magazine Inside Edition from 2012 to 2016, in 2016 she ― like most of the members of the Trump family ― became part of Trump's campaign and spearheaded the Trump-Pence Women's Empowerment Tour and from 2021-2022 she was a Fox News contributor.
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks on Day 1 of the RNC
One of the first speakers of Day 1 was the state's Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is also running for Governor this year.
He spoke of hard times he had in his younger years, and how he understood the economic pressures that some Americans are facing now with prices at the grocery store and at the gas pump.
Robinson also praised Trump on stage.
Looking ahead:When is Donald Trump speaking at the RNC in Milwaukee?
Is anyone else from North Carolina speaking at the 2024 RNC?
There is one more North Carolinian slated to speak this week. U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District (which encompasses Union, Chatham, Anson, Richmond, Scotland, and Robeson counties; a southeast portion of Mecklenburg County; and parts of Cumberland, Moore and Bladen counties) is on the list of speakers for the 2024 RNC. He is also the NRCC Chairman.
The Wilmington StarNews contributed to this report.
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