Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley is once again facing questions involving his proximity to people and institutions accused of protecting child sex offenders. This time, after campaigning at a western North Carolina church where a longtime employee was accused of sexually abusing young girls for decades.
Whatley campaigned at Victory Baptist Church in Sylva, where longtime church piano player and basketball coach Mickey McMahan allegedly used his work with the church to groom and sexually assault young girls. McMahan was arrested in 2024 on 26 child sex offense charges.
Former church members have also accused church leadership of ignoring warnings about McMahan for years. One woman told The Sylva Herald that victims had reported alleged assaults to church leaders and others but were silenced, saying, “The church hid a lot of stuff.”
The latest controversy comes as Whatley continues to face scrutiny over his own relationship with convicted sex offender Harvey West. West served six years in prison after being accused of statutory rape involving three minors and pleading guilty to indecent liberties with a child. During Whatley’s tenure as NC GOP chair, West was appointed multiple times to the party’s powerful rulemaking committee. West has said he openly discussed his criminal history with Republican Party leaders.
Whatley has repeatedly avoided explaining those appointments. When asked directly about West earlier this year, he deflected the question to an attack on Roy Cooper. More recently, Whatley denied appointing West, but party rules and West’s own records indicate Whatley appointed him to the Plan of Organization Committee while serving as chairman.
The West controversy is now reaching North Carolina voters through a $2.3 million advertising campaign highlighting Whatley’s decision to elevate him within the NC GOP.
For months, Whatley has been asked to explain why he gave West positions of influence despite West’s criminal history. His campaign stop at Victory Baptist Church is now bringing new attention to an issue that Whatley has repeatedly tried to leave unanswered.
