Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has publicly announced his support for Republican candidate Michael Whatley to succeed him in the U.S. Senate. This marks the first time Tillis has formally declared his preference in the race. The endorsement comes as Whatley faces a challenging campaign against the Democratic nominee, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.

Political analysts view the race as a high-stakes battle for control of the Senate seat. While Tillis has signaled his confidence in Whatley, current polling and political trends suggest that Roy Cooper holds an advantage in the contest. The endorsement is seen as an attempt to consolidate Republican support behind Whatley as the election approaches. Tillis, who is stepping down from his position, made the announcement during an interview with NewsNation on Tuesday. The race remains one of the most closely watched in the country due to North Carolina’s status as a swing state and the potential impact on the balance of power in Washington.