Republican Chances of Losing North Carolina Senate Seat to Roy Cooper—Polls
Summary
A new poll shows Democrat Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley in the race for a U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. This seat is open because Republican Senator Thom Tillis is retiring, making the race important for control of the Senate after the 2026 midterm elections.Key Facts
- Roy Cooper, a Democrat and two-term North Carolina governor, leads Michael Whatley, a Republican, by 4 points in a recent poll.
- The poll surveyed 759 North Carolina voters in July 2026 with a margin of error of ±3.6 points.
- North Carolina last elected a Democratic senator in 2008 and voted for President Trump by about 3 points in 2024.
- Cooper has 92% name recognition among voters; Whatley has 69%.
- Republican Senator Thom Tillis is retiring, leaving the seat open.
- Democrats see this seat as their best chance to flip a Senate seat in a state that is closely divided politically.
- Both campaigns released statements highlighting their candidate's strengths and criticizing the opponent.
- Previous polls also show Cooper ahead by similar margins but recognize the race could still be close.
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