US EditionMichael Whatley, Republican leader, officially enters US Senate race in NC
NORTH CAROLINA, JUL 31 – Whatley, backed by President Trump, aims to maintain GOP control in a race that could cost up to $750 million, facing Democrat Roy Cooper in a key 2026 Senate contest.
- Michael Whatley has officially announced his campaign for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat, backed by President Donald Trump's endorsement.
- The Senate race between Whatley and Democrat Roy Cooper is expected to be highly competitive and costly in 2026.
- Whatley will resign as Republican National Committee Chairman to focus on his Senate campaign.
95 Articles
95 Articles
Watauga Democrat
Poll: Cooper leads Whatley in Emerson’s opener
(The Center Square) – Expected to be the most expensive U.S. Senate race in history, polling released Friday gave former North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper a lead on Republican Michael Whatley of 47%-41%.
RNC chair Michael Whatley launches NC Senate bid, opening door to new leadership
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley has formally kicked off his bid for the hotly-contested North Carolina Senate seat, opening the door for new leadership at the top of the official GOP.
Roy Cooper kicks off North Carolina Senate race six points up over Michael Whatley
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) led Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley by 6 percentage points in the first major poll of the 2026 North Carolina Senate race. The Emerson College poll, obtained by Politico, showed Cooper with…
Star Dem Candidate Leading By Only Single Digits In North Carolina Senate Race, Poll Says
Former two-term Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is leading his much lesser-known likely Republican opponent by just six points in the state’s 2026 Senate race, according to an early Emerson College poll released Friday morning. The Emerson College survey found that Cooper received 47% support in the swing state’s blockbuster Senate race, while Republican National Committee […] Star Dem Candidate Leading By Only Single Digits In North C…
NC Senate Race: Cooper leads Whatley with young, independent voters: Poll
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The first Emerson College/CBS 17 poll of the 2026 U.S. Senate race in North Carolina gives a six-point edge to former Governor Roy Cooper (D), who launched his campaign Monday. His opponent—Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley—announced his entry into the race Thursday. That came a week after sources close to Whatley confirmed his plans to run on July 24, the same day Laura Trump announced on X that she woul…
North Carolina 2026 Poll: Cooper Starts US Senate Race with Six-Point Lead and Clear Name Recognition Advantage over Whatley - Emerson Polling
The first Emerson College Polling survey of the 2026 U.S. Senate race in North Carolina finds former Governor Roy Cooper starting the race with a six-point edge on Republican National Committee Chair, Michael Whatley, 47% to 41%, with 12% undecided. Cooper starts with significantly higher name recognition: 51% have a favorable view of the former Governor, 33% have a negative view of him, 13% are unsure, and 3% are not familiar with him. Whatley…
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