American Journal News: “Whatley […] is a virtual case study in revolving-door politics”

New reporting is highlighting DC insider Michael Whatley’s “two decades cashing in” as a lobbyist for Big Oil and utility companies like Duke Energy. A “case study in revolving-door politics,” Whatley made millions from hurting North Carolina families.  

This follows scrutiny on Whatley’s career lobbying for Duke Energy and “argu[ing] in favor of rate increases.” 

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American Journal News: Whatley spent two decades cashing in as a corporate lobbyist

Jesse Valentine  | May 27, 2026

• Whatley […] résumé is a virtual case study in revolving-door politics, with him constantly ping-ponging between the public and private sectors.

• A review of Whatley’s disclosures dating back to 2005 suggests that much of his work was done on behalf of oil and gas companies, an industry in which he continues to have deep financial investments.

• In 2005, Whatley founded his first lobbying firm, The Patriot Group, which dissolved less than a year later. Despite its short tenure, the firm represented several large utility providers, including Cinergy, which later became Duke Energy.

• Today, Duke Energy is the largest utility company in North Carolina and a financial supporter of Whatley’s Senate campaign. Duke Energy is expected to seek permission to raise rates for North Carolinians in the next year.

• Whatley’s disclosures from O’Connor & Hannon indicate that he personally generated at least $1.3 million for the firm, managing the accounts of several big-name clients, most notably Exxon Mobil, General Electric, and the weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

• Whatley founded another lobbying firm, HBW Resources, in 2007. The firm still exists today and specializes in the “energy, environment, conservation, transportation, and infrastructure sectors,” according to its website. Between 2007 and 2022, the firm took in more than $8 million from corporate clients, including the American Petroleum Institute, the largest trade association for the U.S. oil and gas industry.

• Whatley’s personal finance disclosures show Capital City Ventures paying him $755,555 over a two-year period. His main clients appear to have been Centrus Energy, a nuclear power provider, and GE Vernova, formerly General Electric.

• Whatley’s campaign website makes no mention of high utility or gas costs. 

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