North Carolina’s 2026 Senate race is coming into focus as former Gov. Roy Cooper prepares to run and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, backed by President Donald Trump and GOP leadership,

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.

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.