Wiley Nickel plans to suspend campaign, endorse Roy Cooper for Senate: Sources

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A source close to Wiley Nickel’s campaign said the former congressman plans to drop out of the senate race and fully endorse former governor Roy Cooper’s run for Senate.

The source told CBS 17 Nickel intends to make the announcement next week, and is now considering a run for Wake County District Attorney.

The announcement coincides with sources telling CBS 17 Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley plans to run for the Senate

seat left vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis, and speculation surrounding Roy Cooper’s possible run.

A representative for Cooper said his announcement on whether he will run for Senate or not would be made in the “coming days.”

Whatley, a North Carolina native, and Lara Trump, his former RNC co-chair and President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, were both speculated to have been considering a run. However, she ultimately decided not to enter the race.

With Nickel planning on dropping out of the race, the field for a potential Cooper Senate run is clear. With The Hill reporting that Whatley has President Trump’s blessing, Mitch Kokai with the conservative John Locke Foundation, said another Republican running for Sen. Tillis’ seat in unlikely.

Kokai said a Trump Endorsement essentially ends the prospect of a competitive primary for Republicans.

“I think this effectively ends the Republican race to succeed Tom Tillis with Michael Whatley in the race having the support of Donald Trump, it is very doubtful that any other major credible contender on the Republican side will want to get in.” Kokai said. “Not only because it would be a tough uphill race, but also because it will be hard to get any kind of high level campaign consultant, a significant campaign organization and big money donors.”

Anderson Clayton, Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, told CBS 17 what she believes voters will be looking for in this race.

“We’ve been to rural counties all across North Carolina, twenty-five in the last two months alone and the number one thing I hear from Democrats is they’re excited to see Governor Cooper get in this race.” Clayton said. “We as a state party don’t endorse state primaries, but I do think that the will of the people are definitely going to speak for us and we’re excited to see what he ends up doing”