Summary
Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is leading in polls against Republican Michael Whatley for a U.S. Senate seat. This seat is open as the current Republican Senator Thom Tillis is not running again. The race is important because it might affect the balance of power in Congress.
Key Facts
- Roy Cooper, a Democrat and former governor, has a 7-point lead over Republican Michael Whatley in recent polls.
- The U.S. Senate seat is open because Republican Senator Thom Tillis is not seeking reelection.
- North Carolina is a key swing state, meaning it can vote for either major political party.
- Polls were conducted by Carolina Forward with 855 likely voters and a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points.
- Previous polls showed Cooper tied with a generic Republican and later with an eight-point lead over Whatley.
- The state's last Democratic presidential vote was in 2008, but it often elects Democratic governors.
- The Republican Party holds narrow majorities in Congress, making this race crucial for Democrats.
- The primary election is in March 2026, and the general election is in November 2026.
