Polling High Importance

Cooper leads Whatley by 8 points in NC Senate race: Survey

Source: The Hill March 26, 2026 at 6:09 PM (3 weeks ago) North Carolina Senate Race

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) leads Republican Michael Whatley by approximately 8 points in the 2024 Senate race to replace retiring Senator Thom Tillis, according to a new Carolina Journal poll. Cooper holds 49 percent support in the closely watched contest that will determine control of a competitive Senate seat.

Key Points

  • Cooper maintains an 8-point lead over Whatley in the latest polling
  • This is a key open-seat race following Senator Thom Tillis's retirement
  • North Carolina remains a pivotal swing state for Senate control