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yesterday

Whatley Joins North Carolina Senate Race as Cooper Holds Early Poll Advantage

North Carolina’s open Senate contest features unified party backing underpinned by record fundraising against the backdrop of a large undecided bloc.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley speaks during his campaign launch event for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Gastonia, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
FILE - Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee, speaks at a campaign rally, Nov. 2, 2024, in Greensboro, NC. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
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FILE - North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper speaks at a campaign event in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)

Overview

  • Michael Whatley formally launched his Senate bid on July 31 with President Trump’s endorsement and backing from Senate GOP leaders John Thune and Tim Scott.
  • Emerson College Polling’s August 1 survey shows Cooper leading Whatley 47 percent to 41 percent with 12 percent of voters still undecided.
  • Former Gov. Roy Cooper raised a record $3.4 million in the first 24 hours of his campaign launch, underscoring the high-dollar stakes of the race.
  • Both parties have swiftly coalesced around their nominees after Sen. Thom Tillis’s retirement, setting up a high-profile general election matchup.
  • North Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 2008, making the open seat a key pickup opportunity that could decide Senate control in 2026.