North Carolina
Michael Whatley officially enters North Carolina Senate race, endorsed by Trump
RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — Michael Whatley, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, is now officially in the running for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Whatley shared photos of himself filing at the State Board of Elections via his “Michael Whatley for Senate” Facebook page.
“It’s official! I am running for Senate to fight for every family across North Carolina,” the post said. “I am honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and will work every day to create jobs, raise wages, lower costs and keep our communities safe.
RNC CHAIR MICHAEL WHATLEY ANNOUNCES BID FOR NORTH CAROLINA’S OPEN SENATE SEAT
Whatley served as the chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from March 2024 to August 2025 before resigning to pursue the Senate seat.
In July, President Donald Trump announced his official endorsement of Whatley. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his support for Whatley, calling him “one of the most capable executives in our country.”
“So, should Michael Whatley run for the Senate, please let this notification represent my complete and total endorsement,” Trump wrote in the July 2025 post.
TRUMP ENDORSES MICHAEL WHATLEY FOR NORTH CAROLINA SENATE SEAT IN 2026
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Trump appointed Whatley to oversee recovery efforts throughout western North Carolina. During a visit to western North Carolina in January 2025, Trump said Whatley’s role as a hurricane recovery “czar” would be to help push recovery forward and get money to the region.
In September, residents and business owners from Black Mountain and Swannanoa held a press conference where they criticized Whatley, claiming they had not seen any efforts from him.
Read more: ‘OUR NEEDS ARE URGENT’: WNC RESIDENTS SAY MICHAEL WHATLEY ISN’T HELPING AFTER HELENE
Jonathan Felts, Michael Whatley’s spokesperson for his Senate campaign, sent News 13 the following statement after this press conference:
“While Roy Cooper botched multiple hurricane responses because he was too distracted freeing violent criminals to ravage our streets, Michael Whatley stepped in with President Trump to fix the Cooper-Biden hurricane disaster. It’s only because of President Trump and Michael Whatley that billions – including over $220 million direct for hurricane recovery – has been secured for the citizens of North Carolina that Roy Cooper betrayed and failed as Governor.”
FILING OPENS FOR 2026 NC ELECTION CANDIDATES, INCLUDING HIGH-PROFILE SENATE RACE
Whatley will face off against former Gov. Roy Cooper in the race for North Carolina’s open Senate seat in 2026. This comes after Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announced in June that he will not seek re-election.
A Democrat has not won a U.S. Senate election in North Carolina since 2008.
As of Tuesday evening, the former Democratic governor has not yet officially filed his candidacy.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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