Whatley previously met with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott about a potential Senate run in North Carolina, and the NRSC had been floating Whatley as a possible replacement for Tillis since January, according to a GOP operative. Tillis did not announce his plans to not seek re-election until months later.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is expected to run for the Senate in North Carolina, setting up a marquee race in next year’s midterms, two sources familiar with Whatley’s plans tell CNN.