August 19, 2026/Media, Press

NEW: “Michael Whatley Accepted Thousands From Duke Energy As It Seeks To Raise Rates”

New reporting reveals DC insider and former Duke Energy lobbyist Michael Whatley has accepted thousands of dollars in campaign cash from Duke Energy. Meanwhile, North Carolina families are facing sky high energy bills and speaking out against Duke’s proposed rate hikes.

It’s not just Whatley’s campaign getting richer from Duke – it’s Whatley’s own bottom line. He has up to $410,000 invested in Duke Energy and would stand to see “boost[ed] profits” from a rate hike. Whatley also got paid to lobby for utility companies, including Duke Energy, for more than a decade and “argued in favor of rate increases.”

It’s no wonder he’s dodging every question on Duke Energy’s upcoming rate hikes.

Plus d'informations :

Cardinal & Pine: Michael Whatley accepted thousands from Duke Energy as it seeks to raise rates

Dylan Rhoney | August 19, 2026

  • Since entering the race for US Senate in July 2025, Republican nominee Michael Whatley has accepted $10,000 from Duke Energy’s political action committee.

 

  • After spending more than a decade at a lobbying firm which counted Duke as a client, Whatley is running against former Gov. Roy Cooper (D) for North Carolina’s open Senate seat.

 

  • Whatley’s acceptance of these contributions from Duke comes at a time of rising utility bills in North Carolina, and the company is currently requesting a 9.3% rate increase over two years beginning in January 2027. This would increase the average home’s power bill by around $15 a month by the summer of 2028.

 

 

  • The group supported increases in utility rates and counted Duke Energy among its clients.

 

  • Carolina Public Press reported that while working as a lobbyist for CEA, Whatley personally argued in favor of rate increases. He also pushed for Duke to pass on costs for coal ash cleanup in eastern North Carolina to its customers. This cost Duke customers $232 million.

  • According to a financial report released on Aug. 13, Whatley’s family owns at least $149,000 in Duke Energy stock and could have as much as $410,000 invested in the company.

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