RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Michael Whatley, the chair of the Republican National Committee, plans to step down to focus his attention on running for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, sources close to the matter told CBS 17 on Thursday morning.
This comes after Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from Huntersville, announced his decision last month not to seek a third term in office, propelling his seat to become one of the most captivating races to follow during the 2026 midterm elections.
His entrance into the race sets up a possible clash with former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who is expected to launch a Senate campaign of his own as early as next week, according to Axios.
Whatley, a North Carolina native, and Lara Trump, his former RNC co-chair and President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, were both speculated to have been considering a run. However, she ultimately decided not to enter the race.
Lara Trump took to social media to confirm that she was not running for the U.S. Senate seat.
“I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I have received from the people of my home state whom I love so much,” she said on X. “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.”
The Hill reported later Thursday morning that Whatley’s announcement comes with a full blessing from President Trump.
The North Carolina Democratic Party released the following statement in response to reports of Whatley’s intentions to enter the Senate race:
“Republicans just lost their ‘formidable’ and ‘first choice’ candidate for U.S. Senate, driving them further into chaos and closer to losing this seat. Now, they are stuck with Michael Whatley, who gave a ringing endorsement to extremist Mark Robinson and is a staunch supporter of the cruel Medicaid cuts that gut health care for over 650,000 North Carolinians while delivering tax giveaways to billionaires – an agenda so toxic it forced Thom Tillis into retirement. Democrats will flip this seat in 2026.”
