Whatley previously met with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott about a potential Senate run in North Carolina, and the NRSC had been floating Whatley as a possible replacement for Tillis since January, according to a GOP operative. Tillis did not announce his plans to not seek re-election until months later.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley and former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper are expected to run for the open U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. The two announcements set the stage for a competitive, expensive race in the battleground state.