Overview

• Cooper’s campaign says it raised $10.8 million directly plus $3.7 million via a joint committee, touting donors from all 100 counties and 90% of contributions at $100 or less.
• Whatley’s team reports roughly $5.8 million to $6 million since launch, as the Trump-endorsed Republican frames his support as momentum heading into 2026.
• Both totals are based on campaign figures with official third-quarter filings due by Oct. 15, leaving independent verification pending.
• Major handicappers rate the open seat to replace retiring Sen. Thom Tillis as a toss-up, with recent polls showing Cooper holding modest leads within typical margins of error.
• Republicans are attacking Cooper over his criminal-justice record following the Zarutska murder, which his campaign dismisses as a cynical political tactic, as analysts forecast one of the cycle’s most expensive races.