Michael Whatley’s opening message to voters when entering the Senate race in North Carolina was about Hurricane Helene: “Roy Cooper failed to show up,” his first digital campaign ad said.
If Democrats have their way, Hurricane Helene may become more of a liability for the former Republican National Committee chair than an attack line.
President Donald Trump appointed Whatley as the “recovery czar” for western North Carolina after the hurricane. He also serves on the president’s Federal Emergency Management Agency task force, tasked with reenvisioning the agency’s role in disaster response.