Poll Shows Democratic Advantage in North Carolina Senate Race
A recent study by Nexus Strategies for Healthier United indicates that Democrats have a significant lead over Republicans in the North Carolina Senate race, featuring former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley.
The investigation posed the question: “If the election were today, who would you vote for—Democrat Roy Cooper, Republican Michael Whatley, or Libertarian Shannon Bray?”
Results reveal that 50% of voters favor Cooper, while Whatley receives 32.3%. This places Cooper nearly 18 points ahead. Bray trails behind with just 4% support, and 13.8% of respondents remain undecided.
Support for Whatley is strong among Republicans, with 71.3% backing him, while Cooper enjoys 87.5% support from Democrats. Interestingly, independent voters lean towards Cooper too, with 48.8% favoring him. Whatley garners 25.5% from independents, while 5.1% support Bray; 19.6% of independents are still unsure.
This trend aligns with the perception of President Trump in the state—53.4% of voters view him negatively, while only 40% have a favorable opinion. Notably, among independent voters, 57.3% see him unfavorably compared to 32.3% who see him favorably.
The survey was conducted on March 8 and 9, 2026, among 800 registered voters in North Carolina.
As reported by the Carolina Journal, this poll shows a notable gap in the race.
Comparatively, two recent surveys indicated a narrower lead for Cooper. In a poll conducted March 22-23, Cooper led by eight points with 49% to Whatley’s 41%. Another survey from March 13-14 showed even closer results, with Cooper at 47% and Whatley at 44%, within the margin of error.
Whatley, asserting that Trump encouraged him to run, often criticizes Cooper for promoting policies he deems harmful and for allowing violent criminals to be released during his tenure.
Whatley has pointed to instances like cashless bail and appointing “leftist judges” who release violent offenders. One cited case involves Judge Roy Wiggins, who oversaw the release of a suspect charged with a tragic stabbing, despite the individual’s extensive criminal history.
Calls for Judge Teresa Stokes’ removal, due to her decisions on pretrial releases, have come from multiple Republican representatives, reflecting growing frustration over these rulings.
Whatley suggested that Cooper is overly lenient, noting that he signed an executive order releasing 3,500 inmates, approximately one-eighth of the state’s prison population.
Moreover, Whatley has expressed his commitment to an “America First” agenda, echoing Trump’s emphasis on a strong economy, secure borders, and global respect for the nation.
