# Trump campaigns for Whatley in North Carolina

> Trump heads to Gastonia to boost Michael Whatley as Democrats target an open North Carolina Senate seat.
- Title: Trump campaigns for Whatley in North Carolina · Valleynewslive
- Summary: Trump heads to Gastonia to boost Michael Whatley as Democrats target an open North Carolina Senate seat. The Gastonia stop is about turnout in a close Senate…
- Keywords: donald trump, gastonia, north carolina, michael whatley, republican senate candidate, roy cooper, thom tillis, senate seat, midterm election, mail ballots, news, local
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/16/pres-trump-travels-gastonia-nc
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:50:04.101+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, gastonia, north carolina, michael whatley, republican senate candidate, roy cooper, thom tillis, senate seat, midterm election, mail ballots, news, local
## Trump hits the road
President Donald Trump is traveling to Gastonia, North Carolina, to support a Republican Senate candidate with the midterm election less than 50 days away.
## Whatley gets the spotlight
Trump will campaign for Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman now running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
## Democrats eye a flip
Democrats are trying to win the Senate seat held by Republican Thom Tillis, who is not seeking re-election.
## Cooper leads polls
Polls cited in the report show Whatley has consistently trailed former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
## Whatley ties to Trump
Whatley has framed himself as a Trump ally, saying North Carolina needs a fighter in Washington.

> President Trump needs an ally in the Senate and North Carolina needs a fighter.
## Ballots are moving
Trump’s North Carolina approval rating has declined, but his campaign stop aims to energize Republican voters as the state has started mailing ballots.
## Key takeaway

The Gastonia stop is about turnout in a close Senate fight where Republicans are defending an open North Carolina seat.