The Whatley files: North Carolina Democrats highlight Republican’s silence on sex offender

Published April 23, 2026 12:00pm ET



Welcome to Thursday’s Washington Secrets. Today, we revisit the sex offender story that is roiling the North Carolina Senate race with an exclusive look at Democrats’ new plans to attack Republican candidate Michael Whatley. And are you ready for White House Correspondents’ Association dinner weekend? No, nor us …

Michael Whatley, the North Carolina Republican candidate for Senate, has finally broken his silence on ties to convicted child sex offender Harvey Lee West.

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