Michael Whatley

A Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina next year has ended his campaign now that Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley has entered the race with President Donald Trump's endorsement.

Political experts say North Carolina's Senate race next year could see around $500 million in campaign spending, and the contest between former Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley could set a new record for the most expensive Senate race in the country.

Democrats still in the dumps over last year’s elections have found cause for optimism in North Carolina, where former Gov. Roy Cooper jumped into the race for that state’s newly open seat with a vow to address voters’ persistent concerns about making ends meet. Republicans, meanwhile, are hardly ceding the economic populist ground President Donald Trump held in carrying the state last year. In announcing his candidacy for Senate on Thursday, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley credited Trump with fulfilling campaign promises to working Americans. Cooper’s plainspoken appeal represents the latest effort by Democrats to find their way back to power.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is planning a run for U.S. Senate in North Carolina next year after Sen. Thom Tillis dropped out of the race.

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson spoke on the first night of the Republican Convention in Milwaukee.

Michael Whatley, the chairman of North Carolina's Republican Party, has been named by Donald Trump as his pick to lead the Republican National Committee.

Updated at 10:19 a.m. on Feb. 16, 2021.The North Carolina Republican Party unanimously approved a resolution Monday to censure Sen. Richard Burr over his…