Cooper leads Whatley by 8 points in NC Senate race: Survey
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Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper holds an 8-point lead over former RNC Chair Michael Whatley in the 2026 Senate race.
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Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper holds an 8-point lead over former RNC Chair Michael Whatley in the 2026 Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Thom Tillis, according to a Carolina Journal poll released Thursday. Cooper, a Democrat, is at roughly 49 percent support, suggesting he has consolidated significant Democratic backing in a competitive battleground state. The survey is an early snapshot of what is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate races this cycle, as North Carolina has emerged as a potential swing seat in Republican-leaning territory. Whatley, a Trump loyalist who chaired the RNC, would need to close the gap substantially to compete in the general election. The race will test whether Democratic strength in the state's urban centers can overcome traditional Republican advantages in rural and exurban areas.
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