Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley formally announces run for Senate

GASTONIA, N.C. (WTVD) -- Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley formally announced his run to fill the U.S. Senate seat in the 2026 election.

Whatley spoke Thursday before a crowd of supporters in his hometown of Gastonia.

A North Carolina native, Whatley led the state's GOP before he was selected by President Donald Trump to lead the Republican National Committee in 2024.

President Trump, in a post on his social media platform, officially endorsed Whatley for the U.S. Senate race.

"To the Great People of North Carolina, one of the most capable executives in our Country successfully ran, along with Lara Trump, the Republican National Committee ... My relationship with you (people of NC) has been fantastic, and only enhanced by the job I did after January 20th, when I took over the flood-drenched areas that were abandoned by Sleepy Joe Biden and your Governor, and, through the infusion of money and hard work, fixed the problem like nobody else has the ability to do. The one that energized that project, and so many more, was the Chairman of the RNC, Michael Whatley," Trump wrote.

The president added, "Mike would make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina. He is fantastic at everything he does, and he was certainly great at the RNC where, in the Presidential Election, we won every Swing State, the Popular Vote, and the Electoral College by a landslide!. 'He is STRONG on the Border, stopping Crime, supporting our Military/Veterans, cutting Taxes, and saving our always under siege Second Amendment. I need him in Washington, and I need him representing YOU!"

In his announcement, Whatley touted his endorsement from Trump and promised to push for some of his same policies on the economy, tax cuts and cracking down on illegal immigration

"President Trump deserves an ally, and North Carolina needs a conservative voice in the Senate, and I will be that voice," Whatley said.

Whatley has not previously run for public office, and if he is the Republican nominee, faces a formidable challenger in former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has never lost a statewide election.

"A healthy, robust economy, safe kids in communities, and a strong America; these are the North Carolina values that I will champion every day," Whatley said. "On the other hand, Roy Cooper is offering North Carolina an extreme, radical left ideology."

Reaction to Whatley's announcement

Reaction to Whatley's official launch of a Senate campaign prompted swift reaction from both sides of the political aisle.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson, R-NC, threw his support behind Whatley.

"Michael Whatley is exactly the kind of conservative leader North Carolina needs, tough, tested, and committed to putting America First," Hudson said. "A native of western North Carolina and a fellow UNC Charlotte alum, Chairman Whatley has built the most successful state Republican Party in the country and is now leading the RNC with that same energy and vision. He's a battle-tested conservative who will fight for working families, help deliver President Trump's agenda, and stand up to the Swamp. North Carolina would be lucky to have him in the Senate."

US Senate Leader John Thune and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott also endorsed Whatley.

"Michael Whatley has done an exceptional job leading the Republican National Committee through historic campaign successes, and I'm excited to endorse him in his bid to become North Carolina's next U.S. Senator," Thune said. "Michael is a strong conservative voice committed to fighting for North Carolina and will be a crucial part of our growing Senate Republican majority."

"Like President Donald J. Trump, Michael Whatley knows how to win North Carolina. He's a strong America First conservative and a champion for the Tar Heel State, so I'm confident we will keep the seat in Republican hands," said Scott. "With Michael in the race and running to win, I know we will protect President Trump's Senate Majority in 2026."

Democrats predicted a failed campaign for Whatley.

"Welcome to the race. You're going to lose," said Lauren French, spokesperson for the Senate Majority PAC, a group dedicated to building a Democratic majority in the Senate.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) called Whatley a "D.C. insider."

"Michael Whatley is a D.C. insider, lifelong political operative, and Big Oil lobbyist who supports the Republicans' cruel plan to gut health care and shutter rural hospitals, celebrated North Carolina's strict abortion ban, and embraced extremists like scandal-ridden Mark Robinson," said DSCC spokesperson Maeve Coyle. "Republicans are stuck with Whatley after Senator Tillis retired rather than run on the GOP's toxic agenda, and North Carolina voters will reject his self-serving politics to send Governor Cooper to the Senate in 2026."

Lara Trump

At the RNC, Whatley worked alongside Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law, who was the co-chair.

She decided not to run for the Senate seat and will support Whatley's campaign.

Trump had been floated as a potential pick for the Republicans and said in early July she was discussing a bid with her family.

Tillis announced he would not be running for reelection next year during the fight over the passage of President Trump's budget bill that ultimately ended up passing.

ABC News contributed.