WHATLEY MAKES SENATE BID OFFICIAL Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley tossed his hat into the U.S. Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Thom Tillis. President Donald Trump already has thrown his support behind Whatley,

WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley has formally kicked off his bid for the hotly-contested North Carolina Senate seat, opening the door for new leadership at the top of the official GOP.

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper led Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley by 6 percentage points in the first major poll of the 2026 North Carolina Senate race. The Emerson College poll,