Michael Whatley, former RNC chairman, is campaigning across all 100 North Carolina counties for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis. He appeared with former President Donald Trump in Rocky Mount and plans to press a conservative message that prioritizes jobs, higher wages and lower prices. Whatley also stressed public safety and backed ICE operations and state detainer laws as part of his platform. He says a clear, voter-focused economic agenda is key to Republican recovery after 2025 setbacks.
Whatley Embarks On 100-County Tour, Says Conservatism Must Deliver A Clear Economic Message
North Carolina Senate candidate Michael Whatley
Michael Whatley, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, has launched a statewide campaign tour visiting all 100 counties in North Carolina as he seeks the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by two-term Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.
Whatley is running against former Gov. Roy Cooper for the open seat. On Friday night he appeared in Rocky Mount with former President Donald Trump before traveling to Phoenix to speak at the AmericaFest conference. Republicans are also targeting a flip in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District as they try to rebound from setbacks in 2025.
Describing turnout and reactions across the state, Whatley said campaign events have been "absolutely fantastic" and stressed the importance of visiting every region of a large, diverse state like North Carolina.
"The conservative movement is very, very strong, and we've got a lot of champions right now, especially when you compare us to what the Democrats are doing," Whatley said. "We won when we focused on the issues that the American people cared about."
Whatley emphasized that Republicans should center their messaging on economic issues voters prioritize: creating jobs, raising wages, and lowering prices. He also highlighted public safety and ensuring members of the U.S. military have the resources they need.
Asked about the party's underperformance in key races last November, Whatley said the remedy is a clear, issue-focused conservative agenda tailored to what North Carolinians care about.
On immigration, Whatley voiced support for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Operation Charlotte's Web, which targeted criminal noncitizens in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. He praised state legislation that requires sheriffs to honor ICE detainers and said stronger enforcement is necessary to protect communities.
"We have many, many violent criminal illegal aliens in North Carolina. Many of them get arrested. We had legislation passed by the North Carolina General Assembly to require sheriffs to honor ICE detainers and move those criminals out," Whatley said, adding that federal support has helped remove violent offenders from the streets.
This report includes contribution from Fox News' Olivia Palumbo.
