RNC Chairman Michael Whatley to Run for North Carolina Senate/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ RNC Chairman Michael Whatley plans to run for U.S. Senate in North Carolina in 2026, following encouragement from Donald Trump. His candidacy comes after Senator Thom Tillis announced he would not seek re-election. Lara Trump declined to run, clearing the path for Whatley’s campaign.
Whatley’s Senate Run + Quick Looks
- RNC Chair Michael Whatley to enter 2026 NC Senate race
- Trump endorses Whatley after Lara Trump opts out
- Senator Thom Tillis steps down after Trump policy clash
- Whatley considered strong GOP contender with RNC support
- Democrats target North Carolina seat as top flip opportunity
- Former Governor Roy Cooper eyed as potential Democratic rival
- Congressman Pat Harrigan may enter if Whatley falters
RNC Chairman Michael Whatley to Run for North Carolina Senate
Deep Look
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is preparing a campaign for U.S. Senate in North Carolina for the 2026 midterm elections, a decision made with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. This development follows the unexpected retirement announcement of Senator Thom Tillis, who decided not to pursue a third term.
The Senate race in North Carolina is shaping up to be one of the most significant contests of the 2026 cycle. Whatley, who leads the national Republican Party, is viewed as a politically viable candidate by GOP insiders due to his strong ties with Trump and extensive fundraising abilities. His previous leadership role as chair of the North Carolina GOP also provides him with statewide recognition and a base of support.
According to two sources familiar with Whatley’s decision, Trump personally asked him to enter the race, solidifying the alignment between Whatley’s candidacy and Trump’s political agenda. These individuals spoke on condition of anonymity because Whatley has not yet made a public announcement.
The path cleared for Whatley after Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law and a popular conservative figure, announced she would not run. Despite her North Carolina roots and media profile as a Fox News host, Lara Trump opted out of the Senate race, citing family priorities and timing. State law requires candidates to establish residency and voter registration by mid-September to qualify for the March 2026 Republican primary.
In a social media post, she said, “After much consideration and heartfelt discussions with my family, friends, and supporters, I have decided not to pursue the United States Senate seat in North Carolina at this time.” This marks her third public decision to decline a Senate bid, following similar announcements in 2022 and 2024.
With Lara Trump out, Whatley has emerged as the likely front-runner for the Republican nomination. He enters the race without a legislative record that could be leveraged against him, making him a safer political option in a general election. The RNC chair is also expected to benefit from the strong donor network he built over the last election cycle.
On the Democratic side, national attention is focused on former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who recently completed two terms. Political strategists in both parties consider Cooper a formidable opponent if he chooses to run. Morgan Jackson, a longtime adviser to Cooper, confirmed that a decision would be made public soon but did not provide further details.
First-term Republican Congressman Pat Harrigan has also been mentioned as a potential candidate. A West Point graduate and former Green Beret, Harrigan is a businessman who previously ran for office and expressed willingness to defer to Lara Trump if she had entered the race. With her departure, Harrigan’s intentions remain unclear, though he remains a figure to watch.
Senator Tillis’s departure from the race followed growing tensions with Trump, particularly over a proposed package of tax cuts and government spending reductions. Tillis opposed the president’s push to reduce Medicaid, and Trump subsequently hinted at supporting a primary challenge against him. In late June, Tillis confirmed he would not seek re-election, opening the door to a reshaped Republican primary field.
North Carolina has been a key swing state in recent national elections, with Trump carrying it by 3.2 percentage points in 2024. This competitive landscape ensures that both Republicans and Democrats will heavily invest in the race. For Democrats, flipping the seat is critical to regaining control of the Senate. For Republicans, maintaining unity and capitalizing on Trump’s support base are crucial for retaining the seat.
With Whatley poised to enter officially and Cooper possibly on the horizon, the North Carolina Senate race is expected to draw national media attention and significant financial backing from both parties. The 2026 midterms are already taking shape as a test of Trump’s continued influence in Republican politics and the Democrats’ efforts to rebuild momentum in battleground states.
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