(31 Jul 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gastonia, North Carolina – 31 July 2025
1. Mid of Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley taking the stage.
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Whatley, (R) U.S. Senatorial Candidate:
"Well God bless North Carolina, and it is great to be home."
3. Mid of attendees gathering at a campaign event in Gastonia, North Carolina, for the 2026 Senate race.
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Whatley, (R) U.S. Senatorial Candidate:
"Americans will be choosing whether to return to the failed policies of Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Or are we going to continue the great gains that we have seen with President Trump and a Republican House and a Republican Senate. I know that North Carolina wants to see our economy do better, more jobs created, safer communities, and a stronger military. And so do I. Which is why I am very proud today, to announce that with the complete and total endorsement of President Donald Trump, I am running to be the next senator from the great state of North Carolina."
5. Wide of supporters holding "Whatley" signs at a campaign event in Gastonia, North Carolina for the 2026 Senate race.
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Whatley, (R) U.S. Senatorial Candidate:
"In order to rebuild our economy, I will fight for policies that will create more jobs and higher wages, lower gasoline and grocery prices, and lower taxes for every family. To keep our kids and communities safe, I will fight to get rid of sanctuary cities, and I will support the Trump administration’s. I will support the Trump administration’s efforts to deport violent criminal illegal aliens and keep the scourge of fentanyl out of our communities, and every day I will back the blue."
7. Wide of attendees mingling at the US NC Senate race event in Gastonia, North Carolina.
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Whatley, (R) U.S. Senatorial Candidate:
"I am honored that President Trump has asked me to run for the Senate and offered me his complete and total endorsement. And I am proud to stand with him and fight every single day for every family and every community. President Trump deserves an ally. And North Carolina deserves a strong conservative voice in the Senate. I will be that voice ."
9. Mid of attendees gathering at Whatley’s Senate race event in Gastonia, North Carolina.
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Whatley, (R) U.S. Senatorial Candidate:
"Thank you very much. Let’s go win this thing ."
13. Wide of Gastonia residents gathering for the 2026 Senate race event.
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AP video shot by Erik Verduzco
STORYLINE:
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley has launched his campaign for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Whatley made his formal announcement on Thursday. He already has President Donald Trump’s endorsement and access to a strong fundraising network. Whatley could face Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper in what’s expected to be one of the most competitive and expensive 2026 contests.
The winner will succeed GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, who recently announced he would not run for a third term. Whatley has led the state Republican Party and was elected Republican National Committee chairman last year.
Cooper announced his candidacy earlier this week. National Republican strategists say Cooper’s entry makes North Carolina a more challenging seat for the party to hold.
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