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MW
RepublicanNorth Carolina SenateParty nominee

Michael Whatley

Political group

Unclassified

Race role

Challenger

Leadership Score (WATT)Scale 0–100
8.72Media impression score derived from bias-weighted sentiment analysis.
Raw Leadership Score41.75
Friction-33.03
Leadership Score (WATT): a 0–100 score measuring positive leadership momentum, weighted by outlet bias. “Mount Rushmore” names the top of the scale as a brand metaphor — a measurement, not a literal historical calibration. How we score.
Effectiveness (‘e’) — estimatedEstimated, not measured
0.87/10Reactive capability index reflecting custom voter priorities.

Scored on your priorities

No priority sliders set. Showing this candidate's starting estimate. Adjust the priority sliders on the Candidate Matcher to see a custom score for this candidate.

Estimated score — no federal voting record

This candidate hasn't served in the U.S. Senate, so there's no voting record to measure. Instead, we estimate their score from what similar candidates in their political group typically prioritize. A lower number here means their group deprioritizes this issue, not that this candidate would.

Career background

No U.S. Senate record found

No U.S. Senate record found. Michael Whatley has not previously served in the U.S. Senate. Legislative effectiveness data is unavailable and cannot be calculated.

Legislative record0Bills authored in Congress
Amendments passed: 0
Bipartisan index--GovTrack bipartisanship index
High voting alignment (echo-chamber)
Campaign Funding
Grassroots (individual)92%
PAC / corporate8%
Missed votes--

Leadership strengths

Commitment to Justice

Articles: 22 · Bias weight: 0.909x

Weighted score0.633

Visionary Thinking

Articles: 7 · Bias weight: 0.943x

Weighted score0.627

Courage

Articles: 17 · Bias weight: 0.906x

Weighted score0.611

Political Acumen

Articles: 150 · Bias weight: 0.985x

Weighted score0.607

Top sources

https://redstate.com/sister-toldjah/2026/02/25/michael-whatley-releases-brutal-ad-on-roy-cooper-after-trumps-sotu-n2199557https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2026/01/28/roy-cooper-crime-n2670238https://www.wfae.org/2026-02-24/in-north-carolinas-u-s-senate-gop-primary-contenders-try-to-topple-trump-endorsed-candidate

Decisiveness

Articles: 74 · Bias weight: 0.962x

Weighted score0.602

Top sources

https://redstate.com/sister-toldjah/2026/02/25/michael-whatley-releases-brutal-ad-on-roy-cooper-after-trumps-sotu-n2199557https://dailytarheel.com/article/city-michael-whatley-senate-campaign-kickoff-20260310https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2026/05/04/exclusive-michael-whatley-democrat-opponent-roy-cooper-released-violent-criminals-communities/

Leadership frictions

Authenticity

Articles: 16 · Weight: Friction Coefficient

Friction score-0.665

Corruption / Dishonesty

Articles: 38 · Weight: Friction Coefficient

Friction score-0.638

Cowardice

Articles: 10 · Weight: Friction Coefficient

Friction score-0.621

Manipulativeness

Articles: 75 · Weight: Friction Coefficient

Friction score-0.610

Top sources

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article314589832.htmlhttps://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/democrat-roy-cooper-republican-michael-013718175.htmlhttps://www.wilsontimes.com/columns/opinion-whatley-is-misrepresenting-coopers-record-on-prisoner-release-6e6e97da

Transparency

Articles: 14 · Weight: Friction Coefficient

Friction score-0.606