Michael Whatley, Roy Cooper Face Off in NC Senate Race

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley has entered the race for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat after incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis announced his retirement. Whatley, who has never run for office before and entered the race after Lara Trump declined to run, has secured endorsements from former President Donald Trump and other top Republicans, making him the GOP frontrunner. He is likely to face former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, who recently launched his campaign and set fundraising records within a day. The race is expected to be highly competitive and among the most expensive in the 2026 cycle, underscoring North Carolina’s role as a key battleground. Early campaigning has seen Democrats label Whatley a 'Beltway insider,' while Republicans tout his outsider status and Trump-aligned agenda. The outcome could play a pivotal role in determining control of the U.S. Senate.