Scoop: Inside Thune's effort to keep N.C. in GOP's column
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Michael Whatley speaks during the second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024. Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is planning a fall visit to North Carolina to fundraise for Michael Whatley's upcoming Senate campaign, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Senior Republican officials think the North Carolina contest will be among the most expensive Senate races of 2026 — and that every dollar will matter.
- "It's always the most expensive race in U.S. history. It will be again," retiring North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said at an Axios Live event on Wednesday.
- Tillis, a Republican, announced he won't seek reelection after clashing with President Trump over the president's "big, beautiful bill."
Behind closed doors: GOP leaders had given Lara Trump, Trump's daughter-in-law and a North Carolina native who had considered running, the right of first refusal.
- But during a phone call Thune had with Lara Trump and her husband, Eric Trump, this month, Lara Trump indicated she was leaning against entering the race.
- When it became clear Lara Trump would not run, Thune turned his attention to wooing Whatley, who was North Carolina GOP chair before Trump handpicked him to be the Republican National Committee chair last year.
- Thune called Whatley last week and encouraged him to run.
Then, on July 16, Whatley attended a reception hosted by the Thune-aligned Senate Leadership Fund super PAC. During the gathering, which was attended by about 75 top donors and senators, the Republican leader introduced Whatley as the party's nominee for North Carolina Senate.
The intrigue: Trump and Thune called Whatley on Monday and encouraged him to jump into the race quickly.
- During the call, Thune pledged the party machinery would consolidate around Whatley.
The big picture: Whatley is expected to soon step down from his RNC role to enter the race and will have the full backing of Trump and Thune.
- It is anticipated he will face off against former Gov. Roy Cooper, who is preparing to launch his campaign next week.
Between the lines: By lining up behind Whatley, Trump and Republican leaders are hoping to avoid a divisive primary.
- Republicans also scored a win in Michigan this week, when Rep. Bill Huizenga announced he would not run against former Rep. Mike Rogers in the party's Senate primary.
- The White House pushed Huizenga to skip the Senate race and instead seek reelection, sources told Axios.
