Candidates / Michael Whatley

Michael Whatley

Michael Whatley

Republican Challenger Toss-up North Carolina · Running for U.S. Senate

Michael Whatley is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from North Carolina seeking the open seat left by retiring Senator Thom Tillis. A native of Blowing Rock with degrees in history, religion, law, and theology from UNC Charlotte, Wake Forest, and Notre Dame, Whatley served in the Bush Administration at the Department of Energy and as Chief of Staff to Senator Elizabeth Dole before leading the Republican National Committee as its chairman.

Fundraising Snapshot

$3.5M

Total Contributions

$3.7M

Spent

$2.5M

Cash on Hand

$2.8M

Transfers In

Where the money comes from

Individual $2.9M (82%)
PAC $561K (16%)
Party $62K (2%)

Donation sizes

$200 & under
$1.5M
$200–$499
$148K
$500–$999
$218K
$1K–$1,999
$614K
$2,000+
$3.9M
Small-dollar (≤$499): 25%Large-dollar (≥$1K): 71%

In-state vs out-of-state

In-state $2.0M (37%)
Out-of-state $3.4M (63%)
What do these terms mean?
  • Total Contributions — Money contributed directly by individuals, PACs, and party committees.
  • Individual — Contributions from individual people, including small-dollar donations under $200.
  • PAC — Contributions from Political Action Committees (organizations that pool donations).
  • Party — Contributions from Democratic or Republican party committees.
  • Other — Remaining contributions not categorized above.
  • Transfers In — Money moved from the candidate's other campaign committees (e.g., a House campaign fund transferred to a Senate campaign). Not a new contribution.
View on FEC.gov As of February 2026

Outside spending

Independent expenditures by PACs and outside groups

Supporting Whatley $812K (100%)
Opposing Whatley $0

Total: $812K in independent expenditures

Why this race matters: Open seat in a purple state. Tillis retiring. Roy Cooper (D) is a popular former governor running against RNC Chairman Michael Whatley (R).

No voting records available yet.

What They Say (2)

ImmigrationSUPPORTS

Background in energy law; closely aligned with Trump policy agenda

Voting & ElectionsSUPPORTS

Prioritizes election integrity reform and border security

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Share their profile so voters in North Carolina can learn more.