Michael D. Whatley, a Republican and former chair of the Republican National Committee, is running for the U.S. Senate seat representing North Carolina in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
He has never held elected office. Whatley says he is running to advance what he calls President Trump's "America First" agenda, according to his campaign website. He faces Democratic candidate Roy Cooper, Green Party candidate Michael Dublin and Libertarian Shannon W. Bray, according to BallotReady election data.
Candidate information
- Name: Michael D. Whatley
- Party: Republican
- Office sought: U.S. Senate, North Carolina
- Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
- Ballot status: Certified for the ballot
- Born: Oct. 1, 1968, in Michigan
- Hometown: Moved to Watauga County, North Carolina, during high school; graduated from Watauga High School in 1987
- Education: Bachelor's degree in history, University of North Carolina (1991); master's degree in religion, Wake Forest University (1993); juris doctor, Notre Dame Law (1997)
Experience and public service
Whatley held several roles in Republican politics and government over more than two decades, according to Wikipedia and BallotReady profile data:
- Chair, Republican National Committee (2024–2025)
- General counsel, Republican National Committee (2023–2024)
- Chair, North Carolina Republican Party (2019–2024)
- Partner, HBW Resources (2007–2022)
- Executive vice president, Consumer Energy Alliance (2008–2019)
- President, Patriot Group LLC (2005–2007)
- Chief of staff to Sen. Elizabeth Dole, United States Senate (2004)
- Principal deputy assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Energy (2001–2003)
- Legal counsel, office of U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell of Georgia (2000)
- Recount team member, George W. Bush 2000 presidential campaign, Florida recount (2000)
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Whatley's campaign website and BallotReady candidate responses. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.
Taxes: Whatley says he supports tax cuts for the middle class and no taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security.
Immigration: Whatley says he is "100% supportive of President Trump securing the border and deporting the millions of criminal illegal aliens that Joe Biden and Roy Cooper allowed into this country."
Law enforcement: Whatley says he would work with President Trump to restore law and order, roll back what he calls lenient policies, support law enforcement and prioritize the safety of North Carolinians.
Social issues: Whatley says he would defend Second Amendment rights, protect life, support law enforcement and oppose what he calls "radical woke ideology" in schools.
Economy and energy: Whatley says he wants to empower workers, create jobs, achieve energy independence and build what he calls lasting prosperity for all Americans.
Endorsements
Whatley's campaign website lists an endorsement from Donald Trump, president of the United States. BallotReady profile data lists endorsements from:
- Turning Point Action
- Americans for Prosperity
Editor's note: This profile is based on publicly available information. Whatley has not returned the Ballantyne Beacon's candidate questionnaire. The Beacon applies the same standards to all candidates in this race.
