Michael Whatley announced Thursday afternoon that he is running for the U.S. senate seat currently occupied by Thom Tillis.

RNC Chair Michael Whatley kicked off his campaign against former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper for North Carolina’s open Senate seat.

Whatley, the current chairman of the Republican National Committee, announced his run at Loray Mill Event Hall. Last week, WRAL News in Raleigh reported he had the full support of the White House as President Donald Trump's daughter, Lara Trump, opted to stay out of the race.