Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is now reportedly entering the 2026 North Carolina Senate race, a move that solidifies GOP hopes of holding the seat and adds muscle to the conservative cause ahead of a pivotal midterm season.
Whatley’s decision, first reported by Politico, comes with the backing of President Donald Trump — a key endorsement that is expected to clear the primary field and rally Republican voters in a state trending red.
The Senate race will be to replace retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis, whose uneasy relationship with the GOP base and opposition to Trump’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” left him politically isolated.
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Whatley, in contrast, has been a staunch Trump ally and a trusted conservative voice, earning praise for his leadership as both RNC Chair and former head of the North Carolina GOP.
With Lara Trump—daughter-in-law to the president and co-chair of the RNC—declining to run, Whatley’s candidacy emerged as the natural path forward.
Trump had previously signaled he would support Lara if she entered the race, and his swift pivot to endorsing Whatley underscores the chairman’s trusted position within the conservative movement.
Whatley is expected to face former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, who served two terms and left office in January.
Cooper, who is also unlikely to face a serious primary challenge, is expected to announce his campaign as early as next week. But while Cooper brings name recognition, Whatley enters the race with momentum — and cash.
Under Whatley’s stewardship, the RNC raised a staggering $96.4 million in the first half of 2025, eclipsing the Democratic National Committee’s haul by nearly $30 million, according to FEC filings.
That financial edge could prove crucial in what is expected to be one of the most expensive Senate battles of the cycle.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), led by Senator Tim Scott, has already expressed support for Whatley’s candidacy.
Scott personally met with Whatley earlier this year to discuss the possibility of a run, and the NRSC is poised to deploy substantial resources to keep the North Carolina seat red.
With Republicans currently holding a slim 53-47 Senate majority, every race counts — and North Carolina has become ground zero in the battle for control. Democrats view it as one of their best pickup opportunities, while Republicans see it as a must-win firewall.
In Whatley, conservatives believe they’ve found a candidate who can energize the base, out-fundraise the opposition, and carry Trump’s populist message all the way to Capitol Hill.
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