Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper 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,

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley launched his campaign for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat Thursday, equipped with President Donald Trump's endorsement and a large fundraising network for a potential general election bid against formidable Democrat Roy Cooper.

WHATLEY MAKES SENATE BID OFFICIAL Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley tossed his hat into the U.S. Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Thom Tillis. President Donald Trump already has thrown his support behind Whatley,