Michael Whatley, a Republican, is running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The official candidate list includes Democrat Roy Cooper, Republican Michael Whatley, Libertarian Shannon W. Bray and Green Party candidate Michael Dublin.
Background
His campaign biography says Whatley grew up in Blowing Rock and lives in Gaston County with his wife, Suzanne. It lists graduation from Watauga High School, a history degree from UNC Charlotte, a religion master’s degree from Wake Forest and a Notre Dame law degree.
The campaign describes his work as a federal law clerk and chief of staff to Sen. Elizabeth Dole. It also lists leadership of the North Carolina Republican Party, the Republican National Committee during the 2024 election cycle and energy, environment and agriculture work on Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential transition.
Policy priorities
Whatley’s issues page emphasizes advancing Trump’s agenda, stronger border enforcement and deportation policies, support for law enforcement, expanded domestic energy production and restraint in federal spending.
He also advocates Second Amendment rights, anti-abortion positions and opposition to what he describes as ideological instruction in schools. The campaign identifies hurricane recovery and improved disaster response as priorities.
Whatley’s campaign says Trump has endorsed him.
Correction: An earlier version described Whatley’s residence as Watauga County. His campaign identifies his current residence as Gaston County. Policy descriptions above are attributed to Whatley.
