Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has made his first public endorsement in the race to succeed him, throwing his support behind Republican candidate Michael Whatley in the competitive North Carolina Senate contest. The announcement, made Tuesday during an interview with NewsNation, marks a significant moment in a race where Whatley is trailing former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who holds a narrow but consistent lead in recent polls.
"Of course I don't support Roy Cooper. I support Michael Whatley and every Republican up and down the ticket," Tillis said. "I think more people should look at how they can help Republicans get elected versus be perfectionists at the expense of getting Republicans elected."
Tillis's endorsement comes as he has publicly clashed with former President Trump over strategy in the race. The senator has repeatedly warned that Whatley should avoid appearing alongside Trump, citing the president's low approval ratings and the need to court independent voters who may be decisive in November.
"I don't think it benefits him. I haven't seen any poll where [Trump] is going to help us with unaffiliateds," Tillis said, a remark that underscores the tension between the senator and the former president. The rift has been on display in recent weeks, including Tillis's criticism of Trump's tactics and his own admission that backing Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary was a mistake, a move that he now regrets.
The North Carolina race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched Senate battles of the cycle, with Democrats already pulling ads in the state as Cooper's lead grows. Cooper, a two-term governor with high name recognition, has framed the contest as a referendum on Republican leadership in Washington, while Whatley has sought to tie himself to Trump's base even as Tillis cautions against over-reliance on the former president.
Tillis's endorsement is notable not only for its timing but for its implicit criticism of Trump's influence. The senator has previously expressed fears that Trump could lash out if Republicans lose the midterms, a scenario that could further divide the party. In his NewsNation interview, Tillis reiterated that the priority should be winning races, not ideological purity.
Political analysts say Tillis's move could help Whatley consolidate Republican support, but it is unlikely to shift the fundamentals of a race where Cooper's experience and moderate appeal have made him the favorite. The Democratic ad pull suggests internal confidence in Cooper's position, though the race remains fluid.
For Whatley, the endorsement provides a boost from a sitting senator who has navigated North Carolina politics for years. Yet the shadow of Trump looms large, and Tillis's own warnings about the former president's turnout paradox highlight the delicate balance Whatley must strike. As the campaign enters its final stretch, the question remains whether Tillis's support can translate into the independent votes that could decide the outcome.
