Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) holds a 9-point lead over his Republican challenger, ex-Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, in the North Carolina Senate race, according to a Fox News poll released on July 30, 2026.

The poll found that 53 percent of voters in the Tar Heel State prefer Cooper, while 44 percent said they would vote for Whatley. The race to replace the incumbent senator has drawn national attention as Republicans aim to maintain their Senate majority.

President Trump has actively supported Whatley, endorsing him in July 2025 and featuring him at a December rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. However, this association has caused concern among some voters, with 48 percent expressing worry over Whatley’s ties to the president, while 50 percent do not share this concern.

In contrast, 42 percent of voters are concerned about Cooper’s connection to the Democratic establishment, with 56 percent not worried.

The campaign has seen significant ad spending from both sides. The Republican-linked Super Leadership Fund launched a $17 million ad campaign criticizing Cooper’s gubernatorial decisions and portraying him as soft on crime. Meanwhile, the Democratic-aligned WinSenate PAC announced a $2.26 million ad buy targeting Whatley for hiring a convicted child sex offender during his tenure as chair of the North Carolina Republican Party.

The race remains a key battleground as both parties intensify efforts ahead of the election.

Sources

The Hill: Cooper holds 9-point lead in North Carolina Senate race: Fox News poll