Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, backed by top GOP leaders, launched his bid for North Carolina’s open Senate seat on Thursday. The unified support puts Whatley on the fast track to a general election matchup against former Gov. Roy Cooper, Democrats’ marquee recruit.

Senate leaders, including Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC), praised Whatley as a proven conservative with close ties to President Donald Trump and the national party infrastructure. Both pointed to Whatley’s record at the RNC and confidence in his ability to help expand the GOP’s Senate majority.