After recent reporting exposed Michael Whatley for pushing FEMA recommendations that could spike his stocks while raising costs on disaster victims, here is a reminder that DC insider and Big Oil lobbyist Michael Whatley is running for U.S. Senate with a number of conflicts of interest and has repeatedly supported policies that benefit his stock portfolio while hurting North Carolina families:
- BIG OIL STOCKS: Whatley continuously pushed for the Iran war, spiking his Big Oil stocks by up to $219,660 and raising prices at the pump for North Carolina families. Whatley also cheered on Trump’s military action in Venezuela, which he reaped a “windfall” of up to $63,000 from his Big Oil stocks in a single weekend.
- DUKE ENERGY STOCKS: Whatley, who has up to $445,000 invested in Duke Energy, has refused to take a stance on proposed rate hikes. He would see “boost[ed] profits” if a hike went into effect.
- This isn’t a surprise, given Whatley’s decades-long career as a lobbyist for utility companies, including “argu[ing] in favor of rate increases” for Duke Energy.
- BIG PHARMA STOCKS: Whatley actively pushed for a bill that changed prescription drug regulation, increasing drug prices for North Carolina seniors and benefiting up to $265,000 of his Big Pharma stock.
- PRIVATE INSURANCE STOCKS: As the co-chair of the FEMA Review Council’s Final Report Subcommittee, Whatley’s report included recommendations pushing for the privatization of flood insurance, which could benefit up to $190,000 of stock he holds at the expense of disaster victims.
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