Overview
- Michael Whatley’s campaign paused television advertising Wednesday and said the break would be brief while it shifts to targeted outreach aimed at late-deciding voters.
- National Republican-aligned groups have cut or redirected North Carolina ad reservations, with Senate Leadership Fund reallocating money to Kansas and Texas and groups such as Old North Action and Americans for Prosperity Action removing planned buys.
- Public polling continues to show Whatley trailing Democrat Roy Cooper by single to double digits, and federal filings show Cooper has spent about $14 million compared with roughly $8 million by Whatley so far.
- Retiring Sen. Thom Tillis publicly endorsed Whatley this week and advised against joint campaigning with President Trump, who had earlier backed the Republican nominee.
- The pullback reduces Whatley’s expected TV reach in a state with active early voting and could force the campaign to rely on targeted field work and digital messaging while national groups prioritize contests where polls show tighter margins.