Is RINO Michael Whatley planning to run for US Senate from NC in 2026?

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Is RINO Michael Whatley planning to run for US Senate from NC in 2026?

Published: Friday, May 23rd, 2025 @ 8:23 pm
By: John Steed ( More Entries )

Word is spreading that RINO former NCGOP chairman Michael Whatley is trying to form an exploratory committee on running for the US Senate in 2026 for the seat held by Thom Tillis. Some paint this as running "against" Tillis but that is unlikely. Whatley is a longtime Tillis ally and was originally recruited by Tillis to run for NCGOP chairman. He has maintained that close association with Tillis.

With Tillis having worn out his welcome with many GOP activists, he has to know that running in 2026 would probably lead to a defeat either in the primary or general election. The last NCGOP state convention passed a shrill resolution of censure against Tillis based on his liberal voting record. In the last few weeks, Tillis greatly angered GOP activists by sinking the nomination of Ed Martin as US Attorney for the District of Columbia for what most regard as silly reasons.

A Whatley trial balloon may be there to allow Tillis to stand aside for an ally to try to keep his seat. Whatley could initially posture as running "against" Tillis and then Tillis withdraw. It could also be a scam to try to discourage another high profile Tillis challenger like Lara Trump from entering the race.

Whatley was Chief of Staff to RINO former US Senator Elizabeth Dole, then worked for many years in lobbying and related work for special interests. He was recruited to run for NCGOP chairman by Tillis and served several terms in that capacity. He is now RNC chairman.

Currently, Tillis' most prominent challenger is conservative lawyer, former JAG officer, and bestselling author Don Brown.

There is also some speculation that Whatley may be about to get the boot as RNC chairman, and this may be a face saving way for him to exit that position.

All in all, it will be interesting to watch this charade.

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Conservative Voter said:

( May 25th, 2025 @ 10:06 am )

We need another Jesse Helms or John East or Lauch Faircloth, not a Tillis or anyone like him if we want to win in 2026. Tillis is badly damaged goods and we do not need a Tillis clone like Whatley would seem to be. That is simply not going to work. We do not want to hand this seat to leftie goofball Roy Cooper, but that is what will happen if we nominate the wrong GOP candidate.

Bubba said:

( May 24th, 2025 @ 4:07 pm )

A lot of disgruntled GOP voters whom Tillis constantly stabs in the back will stay home in 2026 if Tillis is at the top of the ticket. Sounds like this Whatley dude would have the same problem for the same reason. Either would hurt GOP turnout for other races.

Concerned Taxpayer said:

( May 24th, 2025 @ 2:57 pm )

Whatley, like Tillis would be certain to be a tax and spend Republican. Indeed, with his background as a paid mouthpiece for special interests, Whatley may even be worse.

Tillis' key assistance to Biden's big spending spree should never be forgotten or forgiven. Along with other Biden Republicans like Mitch McConnell, Tillis voted to let Biden's big spending fake "Infrastructure" bill pass through the normal process. That was bad enough in and of itself, but it set up something even worse. It preserved the "reconciliation" slot that year for Biden to pass the outrageous Green New Deal disguised as the "inflation Reduction Act."

Tillis has disqualified himself from consideration by fiscal conservatives because of his fingerprints all over Biden's big spending spree. Whatley would probably be even worse. Surely the NCGOP has somebody we can rally around and get excited about for 2026, but this badly flawed pair are NOT it.

This Don Brown, however, sounds interesting. I would like to learn more about him.

borderhawk said:

( May 24th, 2025 @ 10:06 am )

Tillis has been horrible on immigration issues due to his being a flunky for special interests. Whatley has even stronger ties to special interests. He is just as objectionable as Tillis. We should avoid either of these clowns.

Rino Hunter said:

( May 24th, 2025 @ 7:43 am )

No thank you. Whatley would just be another Tillis. They are joined at the hip. We can do A LOT better.

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