Retiring Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., this week publicly supported Michael Whatley to replace him, marking his first public endorsement of the Republican of the cycle.

Whatley previously served as chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and previously held the state-level counterpart position in North Carolina. Tillis, for his part, had remained relatively tight-lipped about his endorsements amid his longstanding rows with President Donald Trump. But he made his position clear in an appearance on NewsNation.

“Of course I don’t support Roy Cooper. I support Michael Whatley and every Republican up and down the ticket,” he said. “I think more people should look at how they can help Republicans get elected versus be perfectionists at the expense of getting Republicans elected.”

Tillis did, however, suggest Whatley shouldn't campaign with Trump in light of his dismal approval ratings. Whatley currently trails former Gov. Roy Cooper, D-N.C., in the polls.

The last Democrat elected to the Senate from the Old North State was Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., who served a single term in 2008, before Tillis ousted her in 2014.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.