Republican National Committee RNC

The Republican National Committee was formed in 1856, two years after the Republican Party was founded by opponents of slavery's expansion. Its 168 members consist of three from each state, territory, and D.C.: the state party chair, a national committeeman, and a national committeewoman. Members elect a chair and co-chair, and the chair speaks for the party when it does not hold the White House.

The RNC organizes the national convention, where delegates adopt the party's rules and platform and nominate the presidential candidate, and it sanctions primary debates. Unlike Democrats, Republicans let states choose winner-take-all or proportional systems for awarding delegates, which can help a front-runner clinch the nomination quickly. The committee raises money, runs voter data and turnout programs, recruits poll watchers, and has expanded its election litigation operation in recent cycles.

Like the DNC, the RNC is a private organization subject to federal campaign finance law. When a Republican is president, the White House usually has strong influence over the committee and its leadership. The committee has debated issues such as early voting and mail ballot strategy, its role in primaries, and party rules, and it shares data and fundraising with state parties and allied groups.