Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley will run for Senate in North Carolina.
Whatley will be in a highly competitive and likely expensive race to replace Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who announced his retirement earlier this year.
He will likely have President Donald Trump’s backing after his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, who served as Whatley’s co-chair before quitting to host a weekly Fox News show, declined to run. Lara Trump announced her decision Thursday morning in a social media post.
“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,” she wrote. “I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I have received from the people of my home state whom I love so much. 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.”
Trump previously said his daughter-in-law would “be my first choice” to run, but he has acknowledged she now lives out of state. Whatley also said he would support Lara Trump in her run.
“I’ve been the chair down there for five years. I’ve worked with the president through three different presidential election cycles. We know how to win in North Carolina, and I feel very confident that we’re going to be able to hold that seat,” Whatley told the Washington Examiner earlier this month.
An announcement is expected soon. Trump will announce a new pick for party chair when Whatley announces his run.
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Whatley ran the North Carolina Republican Party before becoming RNC co-chairman in 2024.
Former North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to announce his run soon, according to Axios. Cooper remained popular in the state throughout his time as governor and is seen as one of the best candidates for Democrats for a Senate seat they are targeting for pickup.
