Michael Whatley
Lost the 2026 race for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Born 1968Law clerk
- Last margin
- −19.6
- Lost 2026
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 6:25 AM ET
Background
As listed by the official candidate list, Wikidata and campaign filings. 99chambers does not summarize platforms or endorsements.
- Born
- 1968 · Michigan
- Education
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte; University of Notre Dame
- Occupation
- law clerk, general counsel
- On the ballot as
- former chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025)
Source: Wikidata (CC0) and the official candidate listUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 6:25 AM ET
Every race Whatley has run
Baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year. Running ahead of it means Whatley won voters the party’s presidential nominee did not; primaries have no baseline.
| Year | Office | Stage | Result | Opponents | Share | Margin | Raised | Baseline | Against baseline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | U.S. Senate in North Carolina | General | Lost | Roy Cooper (D), Shannon Bray (L) | 39.1% | D+19.6 | $13.7M | R+3.3 |
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: North Carolina State Board of Elections (unofficial)Updated Nov 8, 2026, 7:01 PM ET
Money
Whatley’s campaign fundraising, and outside money in Whatley’s races this cycle.
- Raised, 2025–26
- $13.7M
- Outside, for Whatley
- $5.7M
- Outside, against Whatley
- $23.5M
Source: FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026Updated Nov 3, 2026, 2:14 AM ET
What’s next
From campaign filings, not from public statements.
| WHATLEY FOR SENATE FEC | Active |
Source: FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026Updated Nov 3, 2026, 2:14 AM ET
Polls of Whatley’s races
The 2026 general average had Whatley behind by 11.7; Whatley lost by 19.6.
| Race | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 · 63 polls | D+11.7 | D+19.6 |
Source: 99chambers polling average on Election Day; 2026 results: North Carolina State Board of Elections (unofficial)Updated Nov 8, 2026, 7:01 PM ET
Who Whatley has run against
- Roy Cooper (D) · 2026 general, lost
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: North Carolina State Board of Elections (unofficial)
How we know Whatley
One person, matched across every source we use.
- FEC S6NC00415
- Wikidata Q124450754
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 6:25 AM ET