Republican National Committee

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The Republican National Committee (RNC) provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is also responsible for organizing and running the Republican National Convention. The current chairman is Ken Mehlman.

There are similar committees in every U.S. state and most U.S. counties, though in some states, party organization within states is organized by Congressional districts. Allied campaign organizations may also be governed by a national committee, such as the College Republican National Committee.

The 1856 Republican National Convention appointed the first RNC. It consisted of one member from each State and Territory to serve for four years. Each National Convention since then has followed that precedent. From 1924 to 1952 there was a National Committeeman and National Committeewoman from each State, Washington, DC and U.S. possessions. In 1952, Committee membership was expanded to include the State Chairman of States which: (1) voted Republican in the preceding presidential election, (2) has a Republican majority in its combined Representatives and Senators, or (3) has a Republican governor. By 1968, membership reached 145.

Its Democratic Party counterpart is the Democratic National Committee and its Green Party counterpart is the Green National Committee.

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