WASHINGTON—Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley announced his run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina on July 31.
At an event in Gastonia, North Carolina, Whatley said that the election is about a choice.
“As we head into the 2026 midterms, there is no doubt that once again, the consequences will be significant. Americans will be choosing whether to return to the failed policies of Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, or are we going to continue the great gains that we have seen with President Trump and a Republican House and a Republican Senate?” he said on July 31.
Whatley pledged to fight for North Carolinians.
“I will work relentlessly for every family and every community across our great state, for every small business … for every soldier, every veteran and every military family in order to rebuild our economy,” he said. “I will fight for policies that will create more jobs and higher wages, lower gasoline and grocery prices, and lower taxes for everything to keep our kids and communities safe. I will fight to get rid of sanctuary cities, and I will support the Trump administration.”
President Donald Trump has endorsed Whatley’s Senate run.
“He is STRONG on the Border, stopping Crime, supporting our Military/Veterans, cutting Taxes, and saving our always under siege Second Amendment. I need him in Washington, and I need him representing YOU!” added Trump.
During his campaign launch event, Whatley said he is “honored that President Trump has asked me to run for the Senate and offered me his complete and total endorsement.”
Whatley is expected to face former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper in what may be the most expensive race in the 2026 election. Whoever wins will succeed Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who decided not to run for a third term after expressing objections to Medicaid cuts under the Trump-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Tillis voted against the legislation.
In response to Whatley’s announcement, Cooper’s campaign criticized Whatley, describing him as a “DC insider and big oil lobbyist.”
Whatley has been chairman of the Republican National Committee since March 2024, when he succeeded Ronna McDaniel. He was previously the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.
With his Senate run, Whatley is expected to step down as Republican National Committee chairman.
Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, passed on a run for the North Carolina Senate seat, “after much consideration and heartfelt discussions with my family, friends, and supporters.”
“While I am not running in this election, my passion for Making America Great Again burns brightly, and I look forward to the future, wherever that leads.”