Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley on Thursday announced his 2026 bid for the open North Carolina U.S. Senate seat, entering the race with endorsements from President Trump and top GOP leaders.
Their support ensures Mr. Whatley immediately becomes the top Republican contender for what is expected to be one of the Senate’s most competitive races next year.
He announced his campaign in a speech from his hometown of Gastonia, North Carolina, and wasted no time attacking his potential general election opponent, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
“A healthy and robust economy, safe kids and communities and a strong America – these are the North Carolina values that I will champion every day,” Mr. Whatley said. “On the other hand, Roy Cooper will be offering North Carolina voters an extreme radical left ideology – open borders, inflationary spending and a weak America.”
Mr. Cooper announced his Senate bid on Monday.
His campaign manager Jeff Allen slammed Mr. Whatley as “a D.C. insider and big oil lobbyist who supports policies that are ripping health care away from North Carolinians and raising costs for middle class families.”
The North Carolina Senate seat is currently held by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced last month that he would not run for reelection.
Mr. Tillis’ decision to retire came in the midst of the Senate’s debate on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
He opposed the sweeping tax and spending cut measure because he was worried that new restrictions on federal Medicaid spending would burden North Carolina’s budget and lead to people losing health coverage.
Mr. Trump attacked Mr. Tillis for his opposition to the bill and had publicly threatened to back a primary challenger against him, before the senator announced he would not run.
Mr. Whatley made sure to tout his close relationship with Mr. Trump in announcing his campaign.
“I remember being backstage with President Trump on Election Night as he was declared the winner – and he told me that he had been given a great opportunity by the American People to rebuild our economy, restore our borders and ensure that America will be the strongest nation on the face of the Earth,” he said. “Today, six months into President Trump’s second term, America is back!”
Mr. Trump posted on social media last week that Mr. Whatley “would make an unbelievable senator” and encouraged North Carolinians to get him to run.
“He is fantastic at everything he does, and he was certainly great at the RNC, where in the presidential election, we won every swing state, the popular vote and the Electoral College by a landslide!” the president said.
Mr. Trump said the post should count as his official endorsement of Mr. Whatley if he entered the race. And he backed Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters to succeed Mr. Whatley as RNC chairman.
While Mr. Trump’s support is more than enough to effectively clear the GOP field, Senate Republican Leader John Thune and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott endorsed Mr. Whatley as well.
“Michael is a strong conservative voice committed to fighting for North Carolina and will be a crucial part of our growing Senate Republican majority,” Mr. Thune said.
Mr. Scott said he’s confident the seat will remain in GOP hands with Mr. Whatley in the race.
“Like President Donald J. Trump, Michael Whatley knows how to win North Carolina,” he said.
• Lindsey McPherson can be reached at lmcpherson@washingtontimes.com.