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.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is expected to run for the Senate in North Carolina, setting up a marquee race in next year’s midterms, two sources familiar with Whatley’s plans tell CNN.