A fresh Fox News survey shows former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, holding a nine-point advantage over Republican challenger Michael Whatley in the state's open Senate contest. The poll, released Wednesday, puts Cooper at 53 percent support among registered voters, with Whatley trailing at 44 percent.
The race to succeed retiring Senator Thom Tillis is emerging as a critical battleground for control of the Senate. Republicans are fighting to preserve their narrow majority, and President Trump has invested heavily in Whatley's campaign, endorsing him last July and featuring him at a December rally in Rocky Mount.
Yet Trump's backing appears to be a double-edged sword. The survey found that 48 percent of voters view Whatley's connection to the president as troubling, while 50 percent said it does not raise concerns. In contrast, 42 percent of respondents worried about Cooper's ties to the Democratic establishment, with 56 percent untroubled.
Both campaigns are already flooding the airwaves. The Republican-aligned Super Leadership Fund launched a $17 million ad blitz attacking Cooper's record as governor, painting him as soft on crime. On the other side, the Democratic group WinSenate PAC countered with a $2.26 million buy that highlights Whatley's hiring of a convicted child sex offender during his tenure as state GOP chair.
The poll, conducted July 23–27 among 1,005 registered voters, was directed by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research, both conservative firms. The margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.
Cooper's lead mirrors a trend seen in other key Senate races, such as Michigan's Democratic primary, where strong establishment support is driving early advantages. However, North Carolina's general election remains highly competitive, and outside spending is expected to intensify.
Whatley continues to lean into Trump's endorsement, but the poll suggests that strategy may alienate suburban and independent voters. Cooper, meanwhile, is emphasizing his record on healthcare and education while distancing himself from national Democratic leaders.
With the election still months away, both sides are bracing for a costly and aggressive campaign. The outcome in North Carolina could determine which party controls the Senate, making it one of the most watched races of the cycle.
