Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is running for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat, entering what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive and consequential races of the 2026 election cycle.

The “Whatley for Senate” campaign filed paperwork on Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission to begin his Senate bid. He also filed his “Statement of Candidacy” with the FEC. Whatley has not released an announcement statement or video, but the federal filings are a step toward formalizing a Senate run.