RNC Chairman Michael Whatley to run for North Carolina's Senate seat with Trump's support: report

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley will run next year for the open Senate seat in North Carolina now held by the GOP.

Whatley will run to replace Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced that he would not seek reelection after he voted earliert his month against advancing President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." He is running after Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, decided against running and has the support of the president, two anonymous sources told POLITICO.

She decided to remain host of her weekly show on Fox News but is expected to back Whatley, with whom she co-chaired the RNC last year, according to the news outlet.

Whatley's announcement to run is expected in the next seven to 10 days, per POLITICO's sources.

He was elected RNC chairman in March 2024 and helped the GOP control Congress and win the White House.

“The president feels Whatley has earned his shot,” said one of the two people who spoke with the news outlet.

Trump is expected to announce Whatley's replacement at the RNC at about the same time he announces his Senate campaign.

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) is expected to announce his candidacy for the Senate seat as soon as Monday.