Trump-backed RNC Chairman Michael Whatley Officially Enters North Carolina Senate Race

Today, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley officially launched his bid for the United States Senate.  

Whatley’s entry into the race sets up a general election contest with former Governor Roy Cooper, which may be the most expensive Senate race in American history. North Carolina is a key battleground state for control of the United States Senate in 2026 and may determine control of the upper chamber for years to come.  

A poll released by Victory Insights shows Whatley and Cooper are neck and neck and the race is already well within the margin of error, with Cooper at 44.4% and Whatley at 43.5% and 12.2% are undecided. Cooper has been in office for decades, while most voters are still getting to know Whatley.  

In his announcement speech, Whatley highlighted the accomplishments of the America First agenda. He called out Cooper for hiking taxes, closing schools, and pushing radical gender ideology. In contrast, Whatley committed to pushing for a commonsense agenda and putting North Carolina first.  

In 2018, Whatley answered President Trump’s call to run the North Carolina Republican Party and skillfully helped Republicans secure victories in 2020 and 2022. Given his success, Trump asked Whatley to serve as the RNC Chairman, playing a key role in election integrity and voter mobilization efforts. With Tillis’s retirement announcement, Whatley quickly emerged as potential contender for the Senate race.