Back in the spring, I looked at the case for Michael Whatley for governor in 2028. It could have worked: Not because he was a perfect candidate, but because he brought something different. And for N.C. Republicans, “different” is something we might finally need to try.
Now he’s officially making his move. Whatley has reportedly stepped down as chairman of the Republican National Committee to run for U.S. Senate in 2026, with the expected backing of former President Donald Trump and the de facto blessing of Lara Trump, who opted out of the race.
And truthfully, this makes a whole lot more sense.
A man who’s earned this shot
I spent a lot of time with Whatley during the 2020 campaign, when he was leading the NCGOP. What I saw wasn’t just a sharp strategist. I saw one of the hardest workers in North Carolina politics — methodical, focused, and tireless.
But running for governor would have meant building a public persona from scratch — laying out a vision for state government, withstanding a brutal media environment, and going head-to-head with a well-funded Democratic incumbent.
That’s not impossible. But it’s a long shot.
The U.S. Senate, on the other hand, is a nationalized race by nature. Voters care less about personality and more about direction — who controls the chamber, what’s at stake for the country. That’s the arena Whatley’s built for.
He has deep ties to national donors and conservative groups. He knows how to assemble a campaign team and message with discipline. Most importantly, he understands what this race will be about: a referendum on Trump-era conservatism and whether North Carolina still supports it.
Whatley isn’t flashy. But he’s aligned with the current moment — and that gives him a real shot.
The open questions
Of course, Whatley has never been a candidate himself. He hasn’t stood on a debate stage or faced the full glare of a multi-hundred-million-dollar race.
That’ll matter — especially in a general election against someone like former Gov. Roy Cooper, who’s likely to run and will be a formidable opponent. Democrats will spend whatever it takes to try to flip this seat.
To win, Republicans need someone who can turn out the base without hemorrhaging swing voters. Someone who can run a focused, disciplined, and well-financed campaign.
Whatley very well might be that person. Don’t underestimate him.
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Author: Andrew Dunn
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