Whatley previously met with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott about a potential Senate run in North Carolina, and the NRSC had been floating Whatley as a possible replacement for Tillis since January, according to a GOP operative. Tillis did not announce his plans to not seek re-election until months later.

Expressing the values of the party and fighting together are pivotal to North Carolinians winning 2026 midterms, as is making a change in the White House three years from now, Illinois Gov. J.