Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley on Thursday officially launched his campaign for the North Carolina senate seat currently held by retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis.
Whatley decided to jump in the race after Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, passed on a possible bid, POLITICO reported last week.
“I am humbled and excited to begin this campaign, and I would be honored to earn your vote, your support, and your prayers,” Whatley wrote Thursday afternoon on X.
President Donald Trump announced his support for Whatley in a social media post last week, simultaneously throwing his weight behind Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters to take Whatley’s spot at the RNC, where Gruters currently serves as treasurer.
“Mike would make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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!”
Whatley’s decision sets up what is likely to be a costly battle for Tillis’ seat, with former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s campaign already breaking fundraising records in its first 24 hours.
Democrats see the state as a promising window to pick up a seat in next year’s midterm elections with Cooper — who has won statewide six times — likely to lead their ticket.
