Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley intends to run for Senate in North Carolina, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News.
Whatley’s expected run comes after Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., unexpectedly announced late last month that he would not seek re-election, catapulting the seat to one of the most notable races to watch in the 2026 midterm elections.
The RNC chair’s decision was first reported by Politico.
NBC News previously reported that former Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, also plans to launch a Senate campaign. Whatley and Cooper are expected to be the top contenders in the high-stakes race in the battleground state.
President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump had also been considering a run, and she told NBC News last week that she was hoping to make a decision by Thanksgiving.
