Within hours, North Carolinians mobilized to help. Michael Whatley, then serving as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), joined forces with Samaritan’s Purse to help Watauga County — where Whatley grew up — to help deliver supplies to those in need. Whatley also called President Donald Trump during his 2024 campaign to assist those who were suffering. Whatley was the “number one advocate” for Helene recovery, according to Trump. “The Democrats didn’t do a damned thing,” Trump said.

Six years ago this week, two polls showed Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) struggling to reach 40 percent in a North Carolina Senate race he would go on to win by just under two points. In this year’s race, Republican Michael Whatley is already polling ahead of Tillis’s numbers against former Gov. Roy Cooper (D., N.C.), according to a Washington Reporter analysis of North Carolina’s polling trends.

"Seniors are the backbone of the American electorate, and they deserve elected officials who deliver for them," said SMFA Senior Advisor Sean Spicer. "The Champion for America's Seniors Award lets our seniors know that they can count on SMFA to watch, keep score, and honor those who fight for them." 

“This marks a big year for the N.C. State Fair and completing some much-needed improvements on the fairgrounds,” said Kent Yelverton, State Fair director. “The State Fairgrounds at its present location will mark 100 years in 2028 and with these investments we are preparing for the next 100 years.”