North Carolinians – from parents across the state, to DC insider Michael Whatley’s own Republican party – are continuing to sound the alarm on Whatley knowingly elevating a convicted child sex predator.
Whatley repeatedly appointed Harvey West to NCGOP leadership – despite knowing that West served six years in prison for sexually abusing three minors. Since being exposed nearly three months ago, Whatley has dodged questions at all costs – even by straight up lying.
اقرأ المزيد:
Daily Beast: Unreal Number of Sex Scandal Republican Candidates Exposed
David Gardner, Farrah Tomazin, Sarah Ewall-Wice, Laura Esposito | May 26, 2026
- Let’s start in North Carolina where former GOP chair Michael Whatley is catching flak for appointing Harvey L. West Jr. to a key leadership role inside the state party despite warnings from fellow Republicans. That role was leading the influential Plan of Organization committee, which holds significant sway over party rule making.
- West, now 54, has proven himself a skilled fundraiser which made it easy for some Republicans to overlook that he served six years in prison after a 1999 plea deal stemming from charges that he raped a teenage girl.
- Now, parents groups and Democrats, including former governor turned Senate rival Roy Cooper, are turning the scandal into campaign fuel, questioning Whatley’s judgment and demanding an explanation. Some of Whatley’s own party joined the critics, reminding voters that Whatley appointed West over the objections of some conservatives.
May 19, 2026
- A newly formed coalition of North Carolina parents is calling attention to Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley’s ties to Harvey West, a convicted sex offender whom Whatley elevated to leadership positions within the North Carolina Republican Party.
- The group, Parents Against Whatley, launched this week with more than 60 members across 19 counties. Organizers say the coalition includes Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters concerned about Whatley’s judgment and leadership ahead of the November election.
- The coalition’s concerns center on Whatley’s decision to appoint West to influential party roles years after West served six years in prison for sexually abusing three minors. West has acknowledged that Whatley knew about his criminal history when those appointments were made.
- Questions about Whatley’s relationship with West have continued to grow in recent weeks, as multiple news outlets have sought answers about his role in elevating West within the state GOP.
- The coalition argues that leaders who campaign on protecting children and public safety should be judged by the people they choose to elevate and empower behind the scenes.
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