President Donald Trump declared last week on social media that Gastonia's Michael Whatley would "make an unbelievable senator" for North Carolina. On Thursday, Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee,

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley started his campaign for North Carolina’s open Senate seat with backing from President Donald Trump.

Michael Whatley, Trump's Republican National Committee co-chairman, has decided to run for Senator Thom Tillis' soon-to-be-vacated seat, according to the Federal Election Commission filing.