Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley launched his campaign for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat Thursday, equipped with President Donald Trump's endorsement and a large fundraising network for a potential general election bid against formidable Democrat Roy Cooper.

Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley enters the 2026 North Carolina Senate race to succeed retiring Sen. Thom Tillis in expected costly battle

Democrats still in the dumps over last year’s elections have found cause for optimism in North Carolina, where former Gov. Roy Cooper jumped into the race for that state’s newly open seat with a vow to address voters’ persistent concerns about the