Michael Whatley, the chair of the Republican National Committee, formally launched his bid to be North Carolina's next senator Thursday afternoon. "I know that North Carolina wants to see our economy do better,

Big news is expected out of Gastonia this Thursday, as Republican leader Michael Whatley is set to make a major announcement.

Democrats still in the dumps over last year's elections have found cause for optimism in North Carolina, where former Gov. Roy Cooper jumped into the race for that state's newly open seat with a vow to address voters' persistent concerns about the challenges of making ends meet.