Michael Whatley is from Blowing Rock, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina, a master's degree in religion from Wake Forest University, a master's degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame, and a law degree from Notre Dame Law School. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Gaston County. They have three children.

Michael Whatley - Ballotpedia

Michael previously served as the chairman of the republican National Committee and chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. He has also worked as chief of staff to Senator Elizabeth Dole, a senior official in the George Bush administration, and a federal law clerk. 

Michael previously served as the chair of the North Carolina Republican Party.

This is Michael's first time running for public office. 

RNC chair says 'big, beautiful bill' key part of GOP's strategy to win seats in midterm elections

'Big, beautiful bill' will make US economy stronger: Republican National Committee Chair

Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump that cut tax rates and reduced funding for food stamps.

- Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump that cut tax rates and reduced funding for food stamps.

Economy

Facebook

Opposes defunding the police and stated, "I will always Back the Blue and fight to ensure they have the support that they need to protect our communities."

- Opposes defunding the police and stated, "I will always Back the Blue and fight to ensure they have the support that they need to protect our communities."

Public Safety

Opposes abortion, but supports prenatal care, birth control, and in vitro fertilization.

Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump that added partial work requirements for Medicaid coverage.

- Opposes abortion, but supports prenatal care, birth control, and in vitro fertilization.
- Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump that added partial work requirements for Medicaid coverage.

Healthcare

As of January 2, 2026, Michael Whatley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Republican’s oil ties a focus in North Carolina Senate race

Has previously lobbied for offshore drilling and against regulations on fracking, power plant emissions, and auto efficiency.

- Has previously lobbied for offshore drilling and against regulations on fracking, power plant emissions, and auto efficiency.

Energy & the Environment

Whatley running on strong economy, safe communities, respected America

Illegal Immigrant Crime Could Tip The Scales In North Carolina’s Crucial Senate Race

Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump, which gives billions of dollars for border security and immigration enforcement.

Opposes sanctuary cities, which prohibit local police officers from working with immigration officers.

Supports deporting "violent, criminal, illegal aliens."

Supports local cooperation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

- Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump, which gives billions of dollars for border security and immigration enforcement.
- Opposes sanctuary cities, which prohibit local police officers from working with immigration officers.
- Supports deporting "violent, criminal, illegal aliens."
- Supports local cooperation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Foreign Policy and Immigration

As Trump continues to remake RNC in his image, new memo outlines what that looks like

New RNC zeroes in on 'election integrity,' hires Trump ally who denied 2020 results

Michael Whatley on the SAVE Act

Advocates for "an aggressive, proactive effort to ensure that it will be easy to vote and hard to cheat."

Supports expanding early voting efforts, "ballot harvesting where legal," and absentee and mail-in ballot programs.

Stated, "We must build and activate the most effective election integrity program that has ever existed to safeguard our elections... Every tool that the other side has used, we need to wield for ourselves."

Supports voter ID requirements, believes only American citizens should vote, wants states to "clean up the voter rolls," and urges for "basic protections" for mail in ballots.

- Advocates for "an aggressive, proactive effort to ensure that it will be easy to vote and hard to cheat."
- Supports expanding early voting efforts, "ballot harvesting where legal," and absentee and mail-in ballot programs.
- Stated, "We must build and activate the most effective election integrity program that has ever existed to safeguard our elections... Every tool that the other side has used, we need to wield for ourselves."
- Supports voter ID requirements, believes only American citizens should vote, wants states to "clean up the voter rolls," and urges for "basic protections" for mail in ballots.

Voting & Elections

Ethics & Conduct

LinkedIn

Twitter

Instagram

Michael Whatley

- Supported a bill signed into law by President Trump, which gives billions of dollars for border security and immigration enforcement.
- Opposes sanctuary cities, which prohibit local police officers from working with immigration officers.

- Advocates for "an aggressive, proactive effort to ensure that it will be easy to vote and hard to cheat."
- Supports expanding early voting efforts, "ballot harvesting where legal," and absentee and mail-in ballot programs.
- Stated, "We must build and activate the most effective election integrity program that has ever existed to safeguard our elections... Every tool that the other side has used, we need to wield for ourselves."

Michael Whatley is from Blowing Rock, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a master's degree in religion from Wake Forest University, a master's degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame, and a law degree from Notre Dame Law School. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Gaston County. They have three children.

Michael is a partner at HBW Resources, where he has been since 2007. He previously worked as an executive vice president for the Consumer Energy Alliance from 2007 to 2019, as a principal deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy under the George W. Bush presidential administration from 2001 to 2003, and as legal counsel to U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell from 2000 to 2001. 

Michael Whatley Wants to be N.C.'s Next Senator. Here's What to ...

Republican Michael Whatley enters US Senate race in North Carolina

Michael previously served as chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party from June 2019 to March 2024. He then served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from March 2024 to August 2025. He declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2026.

Opposes abortion, but supports access to birth control, prenatal care, and in vitro fertilization.

Roy Cooper, Michael Whatley file to run for US Senate

- The U.S. senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 U.S. senators. North Carolina, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- U.S. senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. U.S. senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate, and vote on bills that may become national law. 
- U.S. senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court justices and presidential cabinet members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees that focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. U.S. senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.