Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
40.2%
48.9%
Republican
Michael Whatley
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina
$1.6M
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Michael Whatley is trading at 9% to win the North Carolina Senate winner? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleAttorney
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
Age57 years old (Oct 1, 1968)
GenderMale
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LocationNorth Carolina
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte (BA, History, 1991)
Notable personal detailsMichael David Whatley is an American lawyer and Republican Party official from North Carolina. He served as chair of the North Carolina Republican Party (2019–2024) and later chaired the Republican National Committee (2024–2025). He previously served as general counsel to the Republican National Committee and worked in energy policy and advocacy, including as an executive at Consumer Energy Alliance. In 2026, he became the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgmichaelwhatley.comnc.gopconsumerenergyalliance.orgcommons.wikimedia.orghistory.house.govamericanpolitics.fandom.comballotready.orgnewsobserver.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgeverything.explained.todaytheorg.cominside.charlotte.eduassets.nationbuilder.comreddit.comgoreclaimga.orgcommerce.senate.govrollcall.comnsjonline.comnrsc.orgamericanjournalnews.comncnewsline.comamericanbridgepac.orgfoxnews.comwashingtonexaminer.comdailywire.comncdp.orgapnews.comdemocrats.orgtheappalachianonline.comeenews.netwral.comabc11.comcarolinajournal.comwunc.orgwashingtonpost.comyahoo.comelonnewsnetwork.comwlos.comnbcnews.comafpaction.comballotpedia.orgfacebook.comtheassemblync.comcharlotteobserver.comwfae.orgthehill.comc-span.orgspectrumlocalnews.comwsj.comnewsweek.comfec.govdocquery.fec.govgovinfo.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgcongress.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports tax cuts and lower taxes for workers and businesses, endorses former President Trump’s tax proposals, and favors reducing regulations to boost economic growth. Criticizes Democratic opponents for proposing tax increases and positions himself as prioritizing putting more money in taxpayers’ pockets.
Healthcare
Supports replacing the Affordable Care Act with market-driven solutions and has backed federal/state policy changes tied to reducing Medicaid funding; favors reducing government role and promoting market-based health reforms.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger enforcement of immigration laws, including funding for ICE and Border Patrol, and backing cooperation with federal immigration authorities to remove criminal undocumented immigrants. Criticizes opponents for vetoing or opposing measures that would require local law enforcement to honor ICE detainers and frames immigration as a public-safety issue.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Michael Whatley has celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade and has praised North Carolina’s restrictive abortion law; he led a state party that adopted platform language granting rights to unborn children and opposing destruction of human embryos. Public materials indicate support for policies that would significantly restrict abortion access and could back a nationwide ban.
Climate & Energy
Supports an "all of the above" energy approach emphasizing a mix of carbon (fossil fuels), nuclear, and renewables, and has a background defending lower energy prices and representing utility and oil interests. Emphasizes energy resilience and state/local management rather than aggressive federal emissions mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
Michael Whatley describes himself as a pro-Second Amendment candidate and is presented by major news accounts and his campaign announcement as supporting gun rights and opposing actions perceived as infringing on the Second Amendment. Public reporting about his Senate run and endorsements highlights his commitment to defend and “save” the Second Amendment and to be strong on stopping crime and supporting law enforcement.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 16, 2026
Michael Whatley is the Republican nominee in the closely watched North Carolina Senate race and has just released a new campaign ad. He is running against former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, with recent polls showing Whatley trailing and the race leaning Democratic. Whatley has been emphasizing public safety and the economy as he tries to close the gap, while also benefiting from Trump’s endorsement.
en.wikipedia.org+56
Articles
TGThe Gateway Pundit8 days ago
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - A New Campaign Ad For US Senate Candidate Michael Whatley - What Are Your Thoughts?
Neutral
FNFox News25 days ago
Roy Cooper leads ex-RNC chair Michael Whatley by 9 in NC Senate poll
Negative
TPThe Philadelphia Inquirer1 month ago
Republicans don't want to go there again on Trump's 2020 election fraud claims
Neutral
CCNBC2 months ago
Roy Cooper North Carolina race could help decide control of the next Senate
Negative
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Michael Whatley currently averages 40.2%, ranking second in this race, 8.7 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 40.2%Position: secondMargin: -8.7 ptsLatest poll: 45.0% (Aug 3 - 12)Polls included: 29
Average recalculated from polls through Aug 3 - 12.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$11.3M
$8.5M
$5.6M
$2.8M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$11.3M
$3.5M
$7.8M
$433.9K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements