Trump backs RNC's Whatley for NCS open U.S. Senate seat
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Trump-backed RNC Chair Michael Whatley jumps into North Carolina's Senate race as Lara Trump declines to run, creating a battle for one of 2026's competitive seats.
Washington — Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley is preparing to enter the race for the open U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, one of the top battleground contests of the 2026 cycle, according to three sources familiar with his plans.
A North Carolina native, Whatley led the state's GOP before he was selected by President Trump to lead the RNC in 2024.
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Gaston Gazette on MSNGastonia resident and RNC Chair Michael Whatley expected to launch bid for Tillis’ seatA race between Roy Cooper and Gastonia resident Michael Whatley could prove to be “as close to a toss-up as exists in American politics."
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DC News Now on MSNRNC Chair Michael Whatley, former Gov. Roy Cooper to run for North Carolina senate seat, sources saySeveral sources tell CBS News that Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is preparing to run for Senate in North Carolina next year. CBS News executive director for the White House and politics,