Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Thursday, aiming to secure the seat of the retiring Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. This announcement came shortly after Lara Trump, related by marriage to former President Donald Trump, opted out of the race.

In his campaign kickoff, Whatley expressed his enthusiasm and desire for support. "I am humbled and excited to begin this campaign, and I would be honored to earn your vote, your support, and your prayers," he stated on the social media platform X.

The race for the North Carolina Senate seat is heating up with significant endorsements already shaping the battlefield. President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Whatley, praising his capabilities and past achievements at the RNC. "Mike would make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina," Trump posted on Truth Social. "He is fantastic at everything he does, and he was certainly great at the RNC where, in the Presidential Election, we won every Swing State, the Popular Vote, and the Electoral College by a landslide!"

Simultaneously, Trump endorsed Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters for Whatley's soon-to-be-vacated RNC chair position. Gruters is currently the treasurer at the RNC and is expected to step into the role smoothly.

This Senate race is anticipated to be one of the costliest. Former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper has already made headlines by breaking fundraising records within the first 24 hours of his campaign. With a strong track record of winning statewide elections six times, Cooper is viewed as a formidable opponent. Democrats are eyeing North Carolina as a key battleground in their strategy to gain seats during next year’s midterm elections.

As the campaign trails blaze ahead, both parties are gearing up for a tightly contested race that could significantly impact the political landscape in North Carolina and nationally.