Tillis backs Whatley in North Carolina Senate race

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is backing Republican candidate Michael Whatley for the Senate seat he’s leaving behind — his first public declaration of who he will support.

Whatley is in a tight race against former Gov. Roy Cooper (D), who is currently favored to win . Tillis told NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network, on Tuesday that he supports Whatley.

“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 has publicly sparred with President Trump over various issues, usually out of concern for Whatley’s campaign.

He has said Whatley should not campaign with Trump given the president’s low approval rating and the need to win over independent voters.

“I don’t think it benefits him. I haven’t seen any poll where [Trump] is going to help us with unaffiliateds,” he said.