{"id":2466078,"date":"2025-07-24T09:00:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T13:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michael-whatley-to-run-for-north-carolina-senate-after-lara-trump-opts-out\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T09:00:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T13:00:49","slug":"michael-whatley-to-run-for-north-carolina-senate-after-lara-trump-opts-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michael-whatley-to-run-for-north-carolina-senate-after-lara-trump-opts-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Whatley to run for North Carolina Senate after Lara Trump opts out"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmichael-whatley-to-run-for-north-carolina-senate-after-lara-trump-opts-out%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2466078&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Michael Whatley, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. He aims to replace Senator Thom Tillis,who recently announced his retirement,making the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/three-senate-contests-shaping-up-to-be-tougher-than-expected\/\" title=\"Three ... races becoming more challenging than anticipated\">race <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/states-push-to-rein-in-big-tech-as-federal-gears-grind-slow\/\" title=\"States Push to Rein in Big Tech as Federal Gears Grind Slow\">highly competitive<\/a><\/a> and likely costly. Whatley is expected to have the support of former President Donald Trump, especially after Lara Trump-Trump&#8217;s daughter-in-law and Whatley&#8217;s former co-chair-decided not to run. Lara Trump had been favored by Trump as his first choice but withdrew to pursue a Fox News show. Whatley, wiht extensive experience leading the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >north carolina<\/a> GOP and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/securities-and-exchange-commission-issues-multiple-warnings-about-recent-stock-market-volatility\/\" title=\"Securities And Exchange Commission Issues Multiple Warnings About Recent Stock Market Volatility\">working closely<\/a> with Trump, expressed confidence in holding the Senate seat. Simultaneously occurring,former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper,a popular Democrat,is also expected to enter the race,making it a significant contest for both parties.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Michael Whatley to run for North Carolina Senate seat after Lara Trump opts out: Report<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2165371\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley will run for Senate in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/north-carolina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">North Carolina<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Whatley will be in a highly competitive and likely expensive race to replace Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3457696\/tillis-surprise-retirement-scrambles-2026-senate-map\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">announced his retirement<\/a> earlier this year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3480306\/jeff-daniels-kamala-harris-2024-loss-would-govern-like-abraham-lincoln\/\">Jeff Daniels on 2024 loss: Harris would have governed like Lincoln<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3479761\/kathy-hochul-celebrates-mike-lawler-ruling-out-gubernatorial-bid\/\">Kathy Hochul celebrates Mike Lawler ruling out gubernatorial bid<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3479707\/bill-huizenga-opts-out-michigan-gop-senate-run\/\">Bill Huizenga spares GOP messy primary by opting out of Michigan Senate run<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>He will likely have President Donald Trump&rsquo;s backing after his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, who served as Whatley&rsquo;s co-chair before quitting to host a weekly Fox News show, declined to run, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/07\/24\/whatley-senate-north-carolina-trump-00473419\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><em>Politico<\/em><\/a>  on Thursday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3460097\/lara-trump-senate-north-carolina-trump-first-choice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">previously said<\/a> his daughter-in-law would &ldquo;be my first choice&rdquo; to run, but he has acknowledged she now lives out of state. Whatley <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3465995\/rnc-chairman-michael-whatley-backs-lara-trump-senate-north-carolina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">also said<\/a> he would support Lara Trump in her run.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been the chair down there for five years. I&rsquo;ve worked with the president through three different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/not-allowed-to-use-rep-ruben-galledo-responds-to-latinx-poll-slams-term\/\" title=\"\u2018Not Allowed To Use\u2019: Rep. Ruben Galledo Responds To \u2018Latinx\u2019 Poll, Slams Term\">presidential election cycles<\/a>. We know how to win in North Carolina, and I feel very confident that we&rsquo;re going to be able to hold that seat,&rdquo; Whatley told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> earlier this month.<\/p>\n<p>An announcement is expected soon. Trump will announce a new pick for party chair when Whatley announces his run.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3458826\/gop-takes-aim-roy-cooper-north-carolina-senate-seat\/\"><strong>GOP TAKES AIM AT ROY COOPER, DEMOCRATS&rsquo; IDEAL RECRUIT FOR NORTH CAROLINA SENATE SEAT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Whatley ran the North Carolina Republican Party before becoming RNC co-chairman in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Former North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to announce his run soon, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2025\/07\/23\/roy-cooper-run-north-carolina-senate-democrat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><em>Axios<\/em><\/a>. Cooper remained popular in the state throughout his time as governor and is seen as one of the best candidates for Democrats for a Senate seat they are targeting for pickup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2165371\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2165371\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michael Whatley to run for NC Senate after Lara Trump declines<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2466079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AP24358761673621-1024x591.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33397,40121,53129],"class_list":["post-2466078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-lara-trump","tag-michael-whatley","tag-north-carolina-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AP24358761673621-1024x591.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2466078"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466078\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2466082,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466078\/revisions\/2466082"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2466079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2466078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2466078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2466078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}