GASTONIA, N.C. AP - Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley launched his campaign for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat Thursday, equipped with President Donald Trump's endorsement and a large fundraising network for a potential general election bid against formidable Democrat Roy Cooper.
The contest is expected to be one of the most competitive and expensive 2026 races. Speaking at an event held at an old textile mill near Charlotte, Whatley pledged his allegiance to the president, who will be a major focus for both sides in a swing state where Trump had one of his smallest margins of victory last year.
"I am proud to stand with him and fight every single day for every family in every community," Whatley said. "President Trump deserves an ally and North Carolina deserves a strong conservative voice in the Senate. I will be that voice."
Whatley led the state Republican Party for almost five years before being elected Republican National Committee chairman 17 months ago with Trump's backing. He seeks to succeed GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, who barely a month ago announced that he would not run for a third term after clashing with Trump.
Whatley's plan to run became public a week ago, after which Trump said on social media that Whatley would "make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina" and that he would have "my Complete and Total Endorsement." Whatley got in the race after Lara Trump - the president's daughter-in-law, a former RNC co-chair with Whatley and a North Carolina native - passed on her own bid.