Republican National Committee chief counsel Charlie Spies has decided to part ways with with the party apparatus and it comes just months after stepping into the role. He was “pushed out,” according to a source familiar with the move via NBC News.
“Charlie approached RNC Chief of Staff, Chris LaCivita, about potential time commitment conflicts and it was agreed that, while we appreciate and value Charlie’s expertise and professionalism, he cannot do this role full time and still maintain the obligations to his law firm that he has spent years successfully building,” said RNC spokesperson Danielle Alvarez in a statement first to NBC News.
NBC News reported that Spies was hired in March to lead the committee’s legal efforts amid the RNC leadership overhaul and when former President Donald Trump endorsed Michael Whatley to helm the organization, effectively reshaping the committee in his image.
Spies was previously described by a campaign official as “the best at what he does, knows the FEC loopholes better than anyone” but a “gun for hire.” However, Spies was not a fan of the former president.
It has been noted that he previously worked for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the GOP primary. The long tenured Republican lawyer is known for expanding the use of super PACs after the landmark Citizens United decision.
Spies was also behind Right to Rise, the super PAC that Jeb Bush used during the 2016 cycle to raise a record-breaking $100 million in the months before formally announcing his candidacy. Spies had filed a complaint in 2015 with the Federal Election Commission against the Trump Organization while in his super PAC role.
Spies has worked with Rep. John James, R-Mich. in the past and served in Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign. His wife, Lisa Spies, who is a well-known GOP fundraiser, has been working for the campaign heading up donor coalitions. Lisa Spies was a fundraiser for DeSantis before joining the Trump campaign.
The chief counsel’s hiring came as Whatley took the helm of the organization in March. Whatley was hand-picked by Trump along with the former president’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump as co-chair.
