Posted on 07/27/2025 7:24:39 AM PDT by Twotone
As the 2026 primaries begin to take shape, one swing state in particular has remained on the GOP's radar.
After Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced his retirement in June, all eyes turned to Tar Heel State native Lara Trump. Although the Republican nomination would have undoubtedly been hers to claim, Lara passed on the opportunity to scoop up the Senate bid.
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who previously co-chaired the RNC alongside Lara Trump, will instead be running for the North Carolina Senate seat, reportedly with President Donald Trump's blessing.
Although neither candidate has issued a formal announcement, Whatley is expected to face off against former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
Despite Cooper's popularity in the purple state, Republicans have maintained a steady winning streak there. Since 1990, Democrats have won only two terms to represent North Carolina in the Senate. Since 1980, the swing state also voted for a Democratic presidential candidate only one time — in 2008, when former President Barack Obama was on the ticket.
One GOP operative told Blaze News that Republican Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, had previously met with Whatley to discuss a potential Senate bid. The NRSC has also been floating Whatley as a potential candidate since January, and internal polling has indicated that a "pro-Trump Republican" would be the strongest candidate, according to the GOP operative.
Nothing to fear. Michael Whitley has Trumps endorsement to run for the seat.
EC
Considering how many times Trump has been stabbed in the back by his own endorsements that is not too reassuring.
I keep thinking NY...Lara and Stefanik...
I guess it's a wait and see. These are two great ladies.
Popular governor-he’s got the upper hand. How many people know who Whitley is?
At least the democrats have people who will step up. Everyone knows who the governor is.
We got Sununu and Kemp, 2 winnables who are jealous of Trump. Then there’s Youngkin in Virginia waiting to disappoint us.
Wise to focus on her family right now, she’s got plenty of time.
100% correct!
Whately has helped and served Trump well in two election cycles.
There are no guarantees in life but your comment is off the mark.
This seat is very close. Our odds are not good.
Population in NC grew from 10,439,388 in the 2020 census to 11,046,024 in 2024 estimates. That is 5% growth in 4 yrs and the AI says growth continued this year. It also says this growth is concentrated in Charlotte and Raleigh.
Trump won there by 3.2%. He won’t be on the ballot in 2026. Tillis won there in 2014 by sub 2% and in 2020 his margin was similarly sub 2%.
The Trump win last year had a slightly special situation in play. RFK asked to be removed from the ballots to avoid diverting Trump votes to himself. The courts initially said no, but an Appeals court, and the NC Supreme court said yes. So he was removed from the ballot at the last minute.
Ballots had to be reprinted and distributed in September for mail in and this pushed the dates of such to late September with early voting starting just 2 weeks later.
Possible impact on the numbers.
Regardless, that seat is not secure and a strong uber MAGA candidate would be somewhat unwise given the urban population surge.
NC Republicans had a horrendous and scandal-plagued candidate for governor in 2024.
It’s a fairly red state for now, as long as we get the RINOs in line or out of the way.
Yes, Cooper is formidable but don’t count out Whatley. He brings more to the table than just being a Republican in a red state. He knows NC politics and how to win. He is architect of turning the state legislature solid red.
You are probably defending Trump’s decision. I was not criticizing Trump’s decision, they are always in good faith. I was complaining about the history of traitorous turncoats after the fact... His luck hasn’t been very good... They were all good people until they weren’t anymore.
I’m not familiar with this race at all, but how long has Tom Tillis been in office? I’ve had enough of these guys that have been in there for decades. They’re all the ones that caused this situation we are in. Every single one of them should be primaried. Very few exemptions that I could think of.
Whatley and Lara Trump did great work in 2024. Thank God Rona Romney McDaniel was gone.
Tillis would have been good if he was willing to stay on the Trump train.
Tom Tillis is better than Roy Cooper.
Now there's 100% chance Roy Cooper will win the seat.
Note to the GOP-e....this is how you run a primary.
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