BY MILES LAYTON
EDENTON — After a solid trip at sunrise kayak-sailing from Edenton Bay to the Albemarle Sound, I had just walked in the front door when my phone started ringing. Though I was wet and dog-tired, I knew that call had to be important — Republican power-broker was calling to announce a new candidate running for US Senate.
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, 56, is poised to declare his candidacy for this critical 2026 race—with vocal support from former President Donald Trump—following the decision by Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to decline a bid, two officials familiar with the matter told POLITICO.
Talking to that GOP leader, I remember commenting that with Whatley and former Governor Roy Cooper running, well, that could be the Senate race that’s probably going to shape up to be one of the most expensive battlegrounds of the 2026 midterm cycle. Democrats need at least four pickups to flip the Senate, and flipping this “purple” NC seat is crucial to that effort. Conversely, Republicans view holding onto the seat as imperative to maintaining their narrow 53–47 Senate majority.
That said, with headwinds beginning to flow from Washington regarding allegations against former President Obama and the growing evidence about the corrupt leaders within his administration, Democrats may be in for a bumpy ride during the 2026 midterm cycle, just as Republicans were in 1974 in the wake of Watergate.
I’m hoping the Senate contest doesn’t degenerate into chaos like this clip from The Campaign or the New York Mayor’s race but time will tell.
A native North Carolinian, Whatley is from Watuaga County — Boone, App State, the mountains — he graduated from UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in history and earned a master’s degree in religion from Wake Forest. In 1997, Whatley earned a law degree and a master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame.
Whatley’s love for politics began when, as a high school sophomore, he became an active volunteer for the 1984 reelection campaign of US Senator Jesse Helms. For our Yankee newcomers who moved to Edenton from their failed states or folks who aren’t enough old to remember that campaign — Helms ran against Governor Jim Hunt, probably the most heated and close Senate race in the nation. Sidenote — Hunt’s daughter Rachel was elected as Lt. Governor in the 2024 campaign cycle. Interviewed Governor Hunt once — good guy.
Fast forward to 2000, Whatley was a member of George W. Bush’s team pursuing the Florida recount — newsrooms across the country were up late that night waiting for the results to come in. During Bush’s presidency, Whatley served as deputy assistant secretary of the US Department of Energy and later became chief of staff for Elizabeth Dole, remember her, who represented the Tarheel State in the US Senate.
Whatley organized rallies and campaigned for Trump in 2016, later becoming closely involved in President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Whatley served as chair of North Carolina Republican Party from 2019 until his March 2024 election as RNC chair—following a Trump endorsement to succeed Ronna McDaniel. As RNC chair, he played a pivotal role in Trump-friendly GOP victories at federal and state levels last year.
With the open seat created by Senator Thom Tillis’s retirement—announced June 29 after clashes with Trump—North Carolina has become a top-tier battleground for both parties. Whatley’s campaign is expected to roll out publicly in the next week to 10 days, insiders say. His fundraising prowess and relationships cultivated at both state and national levels are expected to give him a solid base in securing the GOP nomination.
Trump’s support for Whatley is expected to unify the GOP field by sidelining other hopefuls, such as Rep. Pat Harrigan and Rep. Richard Hudson, who had previously considered bids but ultimately ruled them out . The former president reportedly informed GOP operatives that Whatley has “earned his shot,” emphasizing his loyalty, fundraising strength, and North Carolina roots.
Trump is also anticipated to announce a replacement for Whatley as RNC chair, likely coinciding with Whatley’s candidacy announcement.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee, led by Senator Tim Scott, has backed Whatley’s entry as a strategically savvy move to fend off a potentially fractious primary and reinforce GOP unity under Trump’s imprimatur.
Lara Trump, who had been widely viewed as the GOP’s prime contender—partly due to her high-profile role as a former RNC co-chair and current Fox News host—opted not to run. Sources cite personal considerations, including family ties and a Florida residency, as key factors in her choice . She will instead endorse Whatley, potentially campaigning alongside him in the coming weeks .
In a post on X, Lara Trump wrote: “While I am not running in this election, my passion for Making America Great Again burns brightly…” .