WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley has formally kicked off his bid for the hotly contested North Carolina Senate seat, opening the door for new leadership at the top of the official GOP.

Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley tossed his hat into the U.S. Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Thom Tillis. President Donald Trump already has thrown his support behind Whatley, endorsing his longtime supporter shortly after his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, announced last week that she would not be running for the seat.