WHAT NORTH CAROLINIANS ARE WATCHING & READING: Michael Whatley Elevated A Convicted Child Sex Predator Despite Concerns From His Own Party

“Republican officials told Cardinal & Pine that they warned party leadership, including current US Senate candidate Michael Whatley, that Harvey West Jr., a convicted sex offender, should not hold leadership roles or host fundraisers.”

DC insider and Big Oil Lobbyist Michael Whatley continues to be in the spotlight for repeatedly appointing Harvey West, a convicted child sex offender, to NCGOP leadership – despite multiple Republican officials warning Whatley for years that West shouldn’t hold roles within the party.

Harvey West has publicly admitted that Whatley appointed him and said he was open with NCGOP leadership about his criminal past “from day one.” Despite every lie, dodge and no comment, Whatley can’t avoid the fact that he owes North Carolina families an explanation on why he elevated a child predator.

Dylan Rhoney | August 5, 2026

Republican officials told Cardinal & Pine that they warned party leadership, including current US Senate candidate Michael Whatley, that Harvey West Jr., a convicted sex offender, should not hold leadership roles or host fundraisers. Despite this, West remained in those roles for years, and party rules barring sex offenders from leadership were not adopted until West left.
“I wore a #MeToo t-shirt to that committee meeting, called for a closed session, brought up my concerns around it, and was attacked verbally by Harvey [West]. Michael [Whatley] quickly gaveled down the meeting, ended that closed session,” Woodhouse recalled to Cardinal & Pine.
As part of his plea, he served six years in prison and was a registered sex offender for ten years.
She said she went to Whatley, then the Chairman of the NCGOP, multiple times with concerns about hosting the fundraisers at West’s home and about his role in the party.
“I have grave concerns that we are, as a party, condoning a judicial fundraiser at the home of a man who plead guilty to sexual crimes against three minor girls,” she recalled telling him.
Magnatti was one of the key figures who, for years, pushed for a ‘felon clause’ that would keep people like West out of leadership positions.

WATCH ON WSOC:

Joe Bruno: “[Harvey West] has held numerous positions in the North Carolina Republican Party, including while Whatley was chairman. He is a convicted sex offender. He pleaded guilty in 2000 to five counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.”

WATCH ON WRAL:

Ashley Rowe: “This was part of a report about Whatley appointing a convicted offender to a role in the state Republican Party. It was about a guy named Harvey West. He pleaded guilty to indecent liberties charges in the year 2000. West got out of state custody in 2006, and about 15 years later, Whatley appointed him to a committee in the state Republican Party.”

The Crimson Hub: Seriously, What Is Wrong With the NCGOP? Chuck Edwards Edition

Caleb Howe | August 4, 2026

It’s worth remembering that when all of this played out – plus the Mark Robinson for North Carolina Governor campaign – current Senate candidate Michael Whatley was GOP Chairman in North Carolina.
He was also Chairman when the saga unfolded involving Harvey L. West, convicted of sex offenses […] Whatley did nothing to ostracize from his role as an important fundraiser and event host for the party, despite plenty of intra-party criticism that continues to this day.

Spotlight Dispatch: Opinion: Hey Mike Whatley: Guilt by Association Equals Guilt

Michael | August 5, 2026

1999: Harvey West Jr., 28, a police officer in Washington, N.C., is arrested and charged with the statutory rape of three girls […] He pleads guilty to taking indecent liberties with a child. […] Six years in state custody.
2019: You become chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.
2021: He is seated on the Plan of Organization Committee — the body that writes the party’s rules.
Jun 2026: You tell a WITN reporter you did not appoint him.

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