{"id":2466158,"date":"2025-07-24T11:31:58","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T15:31:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whatley-to-run-for-north-carolina-senate-after-lara-trump-opts-out\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T11:33:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T15:33:11","slug":"whatley-to-run-for-north-carolina-senate-after-lara-trump-opts-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whatley-to-run-for-north-carolina-senate-after-lara-trump-opts-out\/","title":{"rendered":"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\">24<\/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%2Fwhatley-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=2466158&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 (RNC), has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina.This seat is open due to Senator Thom Tillis&#8217;s recent decision to retire.Whatley is expected to have strong support from former President Donald Trump, especially since Lara Trump, Trump&#8217;s daughter-in-law and Whatley&#8217;s former campaign co-chair, decided not to run for the seat. Lara Trump publicly announced her decision to withdraw from the race,citing personal considerations. Whatley, who served as the North Carolina republican Party chair and has experience working through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senior-doj-official-recently-flagged-in-fbi-whistleblower-probe-played-key-role-in-louis-lerner-irs-targeting-scandal\/\" title=\"Senior DOJ Official Recently Flagged in FBI Whistleblower Probe Played Key Role in Louis Lerner IRS Targeting Scandal\">multiple <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >presidential election cycles<\/a><\/a>, expressed confidence in winning the seat for the GOP. Meanwhile, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is anticipated to run as the Democratic candidate, making the upcoming 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>. An official declaration of Whatley&#8217;s run is expected soon,along with the naming of a new RNC chairperson.  <\/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\">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_2180996\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/rnc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Republican National Committee\">Republican National Committee<\/a> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-take-back-control-of-virginia-house-in-statewide-upset\/\" title=\"Republicans Take Back Control of Virginia House in Statewide Upset\">expensive race<\/a> 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\/house\/3480527\/ron-klain-house-oversight-biden-autopen-investigation\/\">Ron Klain, former Biden chief of staff, testifies in House Oversight autopen investigation<\/a><\/li>\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<\/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. Lara Trump announced her decision Thursday morning in a social media post.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;After much consideration and heartfelt discussions with my family, friends, and supporters, I have decided not to pursue the United States Senate seat in North Carolina at this time,&rdquo; she wrote. &ldquo;I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I have received from the people of my home state whom I love so much. While I am not running in this election, my passion for Making America Great Again burns brightly, and I look forward to the future, wherever that leads.&rdquo;<\/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 presidential election cycles. 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-court-is-fast-tracking-sidney-powells-request-for-a-forensic-exam-of-dominion-voting-machines\/\" title=\"Federal Court Is Fast-Tracking Sidney Powell\u2019s Request For A Forensic Exam Of Dominion Voting Machines\">party chair<\/a> 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\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2025\/07\/23\/roy-cooper-run-north-carolina-senate-democrat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Roy Cooper is expected to announce his run soon<\/a>, according to <em>Axios<\/em>. 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_2180996\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2180996\"}});<\/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>Whatley to run for NC Senate after Lara Trump declines<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2466159,"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":[34059,33397,53129,37838],"class_list":["post-2466158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-election-2024","tag-lara-trump","tag-north-carolina-senate","tag-whatley"],"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\/2466158","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=2466158"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466158\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2466162,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466158\/revisions\/2466162"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2466159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2466158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2466158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2466158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}