Michael Whatley, Roy Cooper Set for 2026 Senate Showdown \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ RNC Chairman Michael Whatley officially launched his 2026 U.S. Senate bid in North Carolina with full support from Donald Trump. He will likely face former Governor Roy Cooper in one of the nation’s most watched and expensive Senate races. Whatley steps down from his RNC post to focus on the campaign, casting Cooper as radically liberal.
Quick Looks
- Whatley enters U.S. Senate race in North Carolina, endorsed by Donald Trump.
- Launches campaign near Charlotte, pledging conservative leadership and loyalty to Trump.
- Expected to face Democrat Roy Cooper, North Carolina’s former two-term governor.
- Cooper’s entry energizes Democrats; he quickly received support from Wiley Nickel.
- Whatley criticizes Cooper’s “radical-left ideology” and economic policies.
- Trump won NC narrowly in 2024; state remains a swing state.
- Whatley to vacate RNC chair role; vote for successor expected in August.
- His background includes roles in Bush’s administration, energy lobbying, and election law.
- Medicaid cuts and Trump-era health policies expected to become campaign issues.
- Cooper credited for bipartisan Medicaid expansion; criticizes Whatley’s record on health care.
Deep Look
Michael Whatley, the current chairman of the Republican National Committee and a longtime ally of Donald Trump, launched his 2026 campaign for U.S. Senate in North Carolina on Thursday, setting the stage for what could become one of the most contentious and expensive Senate battles in the country. Whatley enters the race with the full endorsement of former President Trump and an extensive Republican fundraising infrastructure behind him.
Speaking at a campaign kickoff held in a historic textile mill near Charlotte, Whatley praised Trump’s leadership and cast himself as the conservative standard-bearer North Carolina needs in the Senate. “President Trump deserves an ally and North Carolina deserves a strong conservative voice in the Senate. I will be that voice,” Whatley declared to supporters.
The seat he seeks is currently held by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced just weeks ago that he would not run for re-election after years of tension with Trump. Whatley’s entrance came shortly after Trump publicly praised him on social media, writing that Whatley would “make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina” and promising his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Trump’s support helped Whatley win the RNC chair position 17 months ago, and the president has now helped clear the path for Whatley by discouraging other potential challengers. Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and a North Carolina native, opted not to enter the race, clearing the way for Whatley’s announcement.
On the Democratic side, the field quickly consolidated after former Governor Roy Cooper announced his Senate candidacy earlier this week. The next day, former U.S. Representative Wiley Nickel suspended his campaign and endorsed Cooper, giving Democrats a high-profile contender with statewide name recognition.
Cooper’s candidacy has energized Democrats who are looking to regain control of the Senate in 2026, a year in which many of the competitive Senate races are taking place in states Trump carried. North Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008, but Cooper’s popularity and moderate appeal make this race a serious pickup opportunity for Democrats.
Whatley wasted no time sharpening his attacks on Cooper, accusing him of embracing a “radical-left ideology” and promoting “open borders, inflationary spending, and a weak America.” He argued that Cooper represents Washington liberalism, while he stands for traditional values and local priorities.
“I believe in a better North Carolina and a stronger America,” Whatley said.
Whatley’s Transition from Party Chair to Candidate
To focus on the Senate race, Whatley will resign from his post as RNC chairman. A vote to select his replacement is scheduled for next month in Atlanta. Trump has endorsed Florida State Senator Joe Gruters, a former Florida GOP chair and current RNC treasurer, to fill the role.
Whatley, 56, has never held elected office but brings decades of political experience. Raised in the mountains of western North Carolina, he first entered politics as a teenager, volunteering for Senator Jesse Helms in 1984. He later earned law and theology degrees from Notre Dame and built a resume that includes working on George W. Bush’s legal team during the 2000 election recount, a position at the Department of Energy, and a stint on Senator Elizabeth Dole’s staff.
Following his time in Washington, Whatley worked as a lobbyist for oil and gas companies before rising through the ranks of the Republican Party. As chairman of the North Carolina GOP and later the RNC, he focused on early voting turnout, election security, and grassroots organizing.
Key Campaign Issues: Health Care, Medicaid, and Trump’s Legacy
Though Whatley’s ties to Trump are likely to energize Republican voters, they also tie him closely to controversial policies from the former president’s administration. One major issue is Trump’s recently signed law that includes scaling back Medicaid—a move that could jeopardize health coverage for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians.
Medicaid expansion in North Carolina was one of Roy Cooper’s top bipartisan achievements during his governorship. In 2023, Cooper successfully negotiated with Republican lawmakers to broaden access to the program. The issue could become a central contrast in the Senate race.
Cooper’s campaign quickly seized on the health care angle, painting Whatley as a political insider who supports corporate interests over working families. “He’s a D.C. insider and big oil lobbyist who supports policies that are ripping health care away from North Carolinians and raising costs for middle-class families,” campaign manager Jeff Allen said.
Whatley, meanwhile, touted Trump’s accomplishments during his launch, including economic growth, hurricane recovery, and remaking the Republican Party’s platform. He also highlighted GOP gains in the North Carolina legislature and judiciary during his time as party chair—even as Democrats maintained control of the governorship.
Candidate filing opens in December, with primaries expected in March. At least two lesser-known Republicans have also announced bids, but Whatley’s national backing and Trump’s endorsement give him a clear front-runner status heading into what promises to be a headline-making 2026 contest.
Michael Whatley
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