One of President Donald Trump’s most-praised 2024 campaign catalysts reportedly will run for the North Carolina U.S. Senate seat held by one of Trump’s biggest GOP antagonists.

Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley will vie for the seat held by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who announced he would not run for reelection following a phone call with Trump regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Tillis voted against the megabill.

Whatley helped the GOP win House and Senate majorities and return Trump to the White House. Former Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to seek the Democrat gubernatorial nomination to run against Whatley.

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