‘I am still with that guy’: Whatley doubles down on Trump at North Carolina event

By: Christine Zhu

Outlets: North Carolina Newsline

Published: September 17, 2026

Words: 1,030

Last Updated: 23 hours, 9 minutes ago

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GASTONIA — North Carolina resident Charles Whatley hasn’t voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1976. It was his first time voting.

In the past 50 years, he said he’s alternated between choosing Republicans and independents, depending on who’s running.

“A lot of it is independent politics is better, such different ideas,” Charles Whatley told NC Newsline. “People always tell me I’m wasting votes. I don’t think any vote is wasted.”

Whatley …

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