{"id":2469312,"date":"2025-07-31T19:00:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T23:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whatley-running-on-strong-economy-safe-communities-respected-america-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-07-31T19:01:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T23:01:16","slug":"whatley-running-on-strong-economy-safe-communities-respected-america-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whatley-running-on-strong-economy-safe-communities-respected-america-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Whatley running on strong economy, safe communities, respected America &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><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-running-on-strong-economy-safe-communities-respected-america-washington-examiner%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=2469312&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 announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, aiming to replace Republican sen. Thom Tillis. Backed strongly by former President Donald Trump, Whatley emphasized running on core North Carolina values such as a strong economy, safe communities, and a respected America globally. He pledged support for law enforcement, veterans, and the elimination of sanctuary cities, while criticizing Democratic opponent and former Governor Roy Cooper as a radical who would increase taxes. Whatley, a first-time candidate for public office, has a background in law, religion, and government roles, including serving as chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party and leading the Republican National Committee through the last election cycle. The upcoming race between Whatley and Cooper is expected to be highly competitive and perhaps one of the most expensive Senate contests in U.S. history.  <\/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 running on strong economy, safe communities, respected America<\/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_2191495\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Giving a thumbs up and saying &ldquo;God bless <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/north-carolina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">North Carolina<\/a>,&rdquo; Michael Whatley stepped to the mic on Thursday and announced his candidacy for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">U.S. Senate.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The choice of two-term <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">President Donald Trump<\/a> to lead the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican-national-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Republican National Committee<\/a> through the last election cycle, Whatley will be seeking the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and already has the unequivocal support of the president. Whatley spoke to supporters from The Taproom in Gastonia not far from his Gaston County home.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3488254\/spokane-sitting-on-months-of-bills-after-draining-jail-fund\/\">Spokane sitting on months of bills after draining jail fund<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3488148\/trump-redskins-washington-commanders-name-change-stadium-vote\/\">Trump urges Washington Commanders to revert to Redskins name ahead of stadium vote<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3487611\/trump-brings-back-presidential-fitness-test-in-schools-backed-by-sports-stars\/\">Trump brings back presidential fitness test in schools, backed by sports stars<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;I want to thank President Trump,&rdquo; Whatley said. &ldquo;Without his vision, without his leadership, without what he has done over the last 10 years to remake the Republican Party into the party that is going to stand for every family and every community all across the country, we would not be sitting here today.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Whatley&rsquo;s announcement coupled with former two-term Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper&rsquo;s decision to run is producing estimations of the most expensive U.S. Senate race in American history. The numbers clear $500 million and could reach $750 million.<\/p>\n<p>The two heavyweights of their parties also clear out any likely primary challenges on March 3. Victory Insights was first to release a poll on Thursday, giving a statistical tie in a 3% lead for Cooper with undecided voters leaning Republican.<\/p>\n<p>Whatley said his campaign will be about North Carolina values. He named a &ldquo;strong economy, safe communities, and an America that is respected around the world. And we will win because we will fight every single day for North Carolina and the values that we hold so dear.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He said he would fight to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pro-tim-sheehy-super-pac-starts-250000-radio-ad-buy-for-montana-senate-seat\/\" title=\"Tim Sheehy super PAC invests 0K in radio ads for Montana Senate race.\">eliminate sanctuary cities<\/a> and &ldquo;back the blue&rdquo; every day, a reference to secure borders and support of lawmen at every level.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have more than 720,000 veterans who call North Carolina home,&rdquo; Whatley said. &ldquo;I will fight for our veterans as hard as they fought for us.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He called Cooper &ldquo;radical&rdquo; and said the former governor would try to appease voters as being moderate.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He has never seen a dollar he didn&rsquo;t want to tax, and he didn&rsquo;t want to spend,&rdquo; Whatley said.<\/p>\n<p>Whatley said he became a Republican at the age of 12 on the day Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in 1981, with news of hostages in Iran released.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It was a quick lesson that even a 12-year-old kid could pick up in peace through strength,&rdquo; Whatley said. &ldquo;And it was an important lesson that elections have consequences.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He chastised the Biden administration for putting the country in &ldquo;freefall,&rdquo; inflation, with high consumer prices. He <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >cited foreign trade policies detrimental<\/a> to American farmers and manufacturers, and immigration woes bringing human trafficking and fentanyl inside the country&rsquo;s borders.<\/p>\n<p>Whatley said the president told him on Election Night about the opportunities ahead for the restoration of the economy and the borders, and &ldquo;to make sure America was going to be the greatest country on the face of the Earth.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And six months in,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s pretty clear to say, America is back.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Whatley is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-clinton-lawyer-comes-short-of-admitting-fbi-raid-is-part-of-effort-to-bar-trump-from-running-for-re-election\/\" title=\"Ex-Clinton Lawyer Comes Short of Admitting FBI Raid Is Part of Effort to Bar Trump From Running for Re-Election\">seeking public office<\/a> for the first time. His education includes undergraduate work in history at UNC Charlotte, a master&rsquo;s in religion from Wake Forest, and degrees in both law and theology from Notre Dame.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/senate-2\/3487801\/gop-unites-michael-whatley-senate-north-carolina-showdown-cooper-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">GOP UNITES BEHIND WHATLEY AHEAD OF HIGH-STAKES SHOWDOWN WITH COOPER IN NORTH CAROLINA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>He worked in the Department of Energy for the George W. Bush administration; was chief of staff for former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C.; and in the first Trump administration was part of the teams for presidential transition on energy, the environment and agriculture.<\/p>\n<p>Whatley was chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party before he was tapped to lead the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/remember-the-iowa-dem-caucus-disaster-heres-how-it-happened\/\" title=\"Remember the Iowa Dem Caucus Disaster? Here\u2019s How It Happened\">national committee<\/a> last year. He shared in that duty with Trump&rsquo;s daughter-in-law Lara, a Wilmington native living in Florida.<\/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_2191495\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2191495\"}});<\/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 launches Senate bid on economy, safety, respect<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2469313,"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\/07\/michael-whatley-north-carolina-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[60367,60366,60365,32076,37838],"class_list":["post-2469312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-respected-america","tag-safe-communities","tag-strong-economy","tag-washington-examiner","tag-whatley"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/michael-whatley-north-carolina-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2469312","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\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2469312"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2469312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2469316,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2469312\/revisions\/2469316"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2469313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2469312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2469312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2469312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}