GOP Senate Nominee Michael Whatley Faced Arrest Warrant in 2015 Traffic Case
Court records reveal GOP Senate nominee Michael Whatley faced arrest warrant for skipping court, contradicting his law-and-order campaign message.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley faced an arrest warrant in December 2015 for failing to appear in court on traffic charges, according to court records obtained by NC Newsline.
The arrest order came during the same month that Whatley, now chairman of the Republican National Committee, received the call to run Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign in North Carolina. Records from Rutherford County show Whatley failed to appear for a court hearing related to a speeding citation.
This revelation presents complications for Whatley’s current Senate campaign, which has centered heavily on law-and-order messaging and support for law enforcement officers.
Pattern of Court Absences Emerges
Court records from 14 different traffic cases in North Carolina and Virginia reveal a pattern of Whatley avoiding court appearances. The records, which matched his full name, birth year, and places of residence, show he failed to appear in court in four North Carolina traffic cases and was found guilty in absentia in four Virginia traffic cases.
In each of the 14 cases reviewed, Whatley either pleaded guilty or responsible, or was found guilty in his absence. Two cases were exceptions: a 1998 expired registration citation that was disposed of by a North Carolina court and a 2007 citation for operating an uninspected vehicle that was dismissed.
The 2015 Rutherford County case began when Whatley was charged in June with speeding 64 mph in a 45 mph zone, an offense classified as a misdemeanor. When he failed to appear for scheduled court dates, judges issued bench warrants with bonds of $500 and $1,000.
Extended Legal Process
Court records show authorities made unsuccessful attempts to serve the arrest orders in September and December 2015. Whatley did not ultimately report to court until January 2016, more than six months after the initial citation.
He paid a $258 fine in April 2016 after pleading down to responsibility for a faulty speedometer, avoiding the original speeding charge.
The Rutherford County charges came just over two weeks after Whatley had pleaded to a lesser charge in Caldwell County court for a separate speeding case, where he was originally charged with driving 65 mph in a 50 mph zone.
Campaign Response
Spokesmen for the Whatley campaign did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls requesting comment about the court records.
Whatley currently serves as chairman of the Republican National Committee and is seeking the open U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. His campaign has emphasized support for state troopers and police officers as central themes in his law-and-order platform.
The court records span multiple jurisdictions and years, presenting a contrast with Whatley’s current political messaging focused on respect for law enforcement and legal accountability.
