Cooper vs. Whatley—What North Carolina Polls Show Under 2 Months to Midterm

A new Elon University poll released Thursday shows Democratic North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley by 11 points in the state's Senate race, with 49 percent support compared to Whatley's 38 percent among likely voters. The poll, conducted August 21-31, also found Cooper leading among registered voters with 49 percent support, while Whatley's support dropped to 36 percent.

The race has become a key Democratic target for reclaiming Senate control, as Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority. Cooper, who served as North Carolina governor from 2017 to 2024, enjoys a significant name-recognition advantage, with 71 percent of registered voters having heard a great deal or some about him, compared to 47 percent for Whatley.

With $20.7 million in cash on hand at the end of June, Cooper has a substantial fundraising edge over Whatley's $3.4 million. Economic concerns, particularly inflation and the cost of living, are top issues for North Carolina voters, with 86 percent rating them very important. A majority of voters, 52 percent, oppose U.S. military involvement in Iran, while 31 percent support it.