Whatley pledges federal 'Iryna's Law' in first event after NC GOP primary win

Michael Whatley said Wednesday his first act in Washington, D.C. if elected to the U.S. Senate would be introducing a federal version of “Iryna’s Law.”

Iryna’s Law is a North Carolina law named after Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee killed on a Charlotte light rail train last year.

Speaking at the Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Charlotte, the Republican nominee framed the proposal as part of a broader push to strengthen sentencing and support law enforcement. The event marked Whatley’s first press appearance since he won Tuesday’s Republican primary for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat. He will face Democrat Roy Cooper, the state’s former governor, in a general election expected to be one of the most closely watched and expensive Senate races in the county.

“I will fight every single day to make sure that no family has to suffer what her family has suffered, or other families across North Carolina have suffered at the hands of the criminals that Roy Cooper and his soft on crime policies have released back onto the streets,” Whatley said.

Whatley held the event Wednesday alongside law enforcement leaders who endorsed him, including representatives of the Fraternal Order of Police and the North Carolina Troopers Association. Throughout the remarks, he framed his platform as a sharp contrast with Cooper, particularly when it comes to crime.

“We’re going to have a dramatic contrast between me and Roy Cooper when it comes to tax policy, when it comes to regulatory policy, when it comes to affordability, and we’ll talk about those on another day,” Whatley said. “But there is perhaps no issue set with a bigger contrast than when it comes to keeping our kids and our community safe.”

Cooper’s campaign has rejected this characterization in recent weeks, saying he is the only candidate who “spent his career prosecuting violent criminals and keeping thousands of them behind bars as attorney general.” As governor, the campaign said, he signed tough on crime laws and stricter pretrial release bail policy.

Whatley vows federal “Iryna’s Law”

Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was stabbed aboard Charlotte’s Blue Line light rail train in 2025 while coming home from work, a killing that drew national attention.

North Carolina lawmakers passed a state version of “Iryna’s Law” after the fatal attack’s video created a wave of national reaction online. It tightened pretrial release policies and required mental health evaluations for some defendants. Whatley said Wednesday he would pursue a similar framework at the federal level if elected.

“I will work with the law enforcement community to figure out exactly what needs to be in a federal version of that law,” he said.

The killing also became a political flashpoint in North Carolina, with Republicans arguing that Democratic criminal justice policies contributed to the tragedy. Some of those claims center on a 2021 COVID-era prison settlement involving about 3,500 inmates signed by Cooper. Republicans have said the agreement allowed violent offenders, including Zarutska’s attacker DeCarlos Brown Jr., to be released early.

However, state prison officials say Brown was not released early from prison and served beyond his mandatory minimum sentence. His release occurred before the settlement was signed, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Whatley outlines public safety priorities, criticizes Cooper

Beyond the specific proposal, Whatley said public safety would be a central focus of his Senate campaign and potential term in office.

He argued the government’s most important responsibility is protecting communities and said federal policy should prioritize stronger sentencing and more resources for law enforcement. Whatley said he would push for policies that support police departments and ensure “dangerous criminals” remain behind bars.

Much of Whatley’s speech Wednesday focused on criticizing Cooper’s record as governor, particularly around criminal justice issues. He said Cooper’s creation of a taskforce that called for policies such as pretrial release reforms and cashless bail contributed to repeat offenders being released back into communities and creating a “revolving door” for criminals.

The Cooper campaign has pushed back on these claims previously, saying the taskforce had no legal authority over any criminal cases or to release people from prison.

Law enforcement leaders endorse Whatley

Several law enforcement officials spoke ahead of Whatley’s remarks and announced endorsements for his Senate campaign.

Daniel Redford, president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police, said officers are frustrated with what they see as weakening criminal justice policies.

“We need legislative leadership who will fight to hold violent offenders and repeat offenders accountable, not let them back out on our streets,” Redford said.

Speakers at the event argued that policies such as reduced cash bail and expanded pretrial release have contributed to safety concerns for both communities and police officers.

Chet Effler, president of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, said officers across the country are facing increasing threats and need stronger support from elected officials.

“These law enforcement professionals behind me are tired of seeing our officers killed every day,” he said. “These tragic situations that happen around our country lay at the feet of politicians who do not stand up for law and order.”

Cabarrus County Sheriff Van Shaw, Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell and Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman endorsed Whatley at the event.

Whatley said the backing from law enforcement organizations shows his focus is on making communities safer.

“We need to back the blue. We need policies that are going to put more cops on the street, that are going to pay them better, and we need policies that are going to put dangerous criminals behind bars, not back on our streets,” he said. “I am honored to have the endorsement of the men behind me. I’m honored to fight every single day to keep our kids and our community safe. It is the number one priority for us.”