RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Former North Carolina Democratic governor Roy Cooper leads Republican challenger Michael Whatley in the 2026 US Senate race. That's according to a new survey of voters conducted by Carolina Journal Polling in partnership with Harper Polling.

Cooper vs. Whatley

Results showed that 47.3% of voters said they would vote for Cooper if the Senate election were held today while 39.1% said they would vote for Whatley.

Roy Cooper previously served as a state legislator as well as a four-term NC attorney general and two-term governor. Michael Whatley chaired the NC GOP for five years before becoming chair of the Republican National Committee.

Previous polling has also given Cooper the advantage. Emerson College/CBS17 polling that was conducted July 28–30 gave Cooper a six-

See Full Page