August 12, 2026/Media, Press

NC Republican: “Is Michael Whatley An Albatross” For Down Ballot Republicans?

As DC insider and Big Oil Lobbyist Michael Whatley continues to be under scrutiny for putting his own political and financial gain over North Carolina families, his own base worries he will drag down other Republicans on the ticket. 

In an interview on Spectrum News, Michele Woodhouse, the former Chair of the NCGOP’s 11th Congressional District, said, “One of the things I’m eager to watch is: Is Michael Whatley an albatross around the neck of Jennifer Balkcomb?”

It’s no wonder his party is concerned. Whatley’s out-of-touch record includes:

  • Appointing a convicted child sex offender to NCGOP leadership. Harvey West served six years in prison for sexually abusing three minors and has admitted he was open with party leaders about his criminal past.

 

  • Repeatedly pushing policies that benefit his stock portfolio while raising costs on North Carolinians – from gas, to health care, to flood insurance for disaster victims.

 

  • Refusing to give a stance on Duke Energy’s proposed rate hikes which would benefit the up to $445,000 he has invested in Duke Energy.

 

  • Spending more than a decade lobbying for utility companies including Duke Energy and “argu[ing] in favor of rate increases.”

 

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