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6d ago

GOP Super PAC Launches $17 Million Ad Campaign Targeting Cooper

The buy escalates outside spending in a close North Carolina Senate race, pressing criminal-justice attacks that Democrats say misstate Cooper’s role.

North Carolina Republican Senate candidate former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley speaks at a primary election night watch party Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 17: Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley gives remarks after being re-elected as chairman at the annual RNC winter meeting at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on January 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. During the meeting, delegates from the Republican National Committee voted on officer roles. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
OXON HILL, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Whatley speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on February 21, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The annual four-day gathering brings together conservative U.S. lawmakers, international leaders, media personalities and businessmen to discuss and champion conservative ideas. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Roy Cooper speaks on the final night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Overview

  • The Senate Leadership Fund announced a $17 million summer ad buy on Wednesday as the first tranche of a pledged $71 million to boost Republican Michael Whatley.
  • SLF’s ads and a companion website accuse Roy Cooper of approving nearly 3,500 early prison releases tied to a COVID-19 settlement and highlight specific cases including DeCarlos Brown Jr.
  • Cooper’s campaign rejects the charges, saying he fought the releases in court and that parole officials and law enforcement applied the release criteria, not unilateral gubernatorial orders.
  • Democratic allies have countered with fresh spending, including an $11 million infusion from Senate Majority PAC, while Cooper has consistently outraised Whatley in recent quarters.
  • The race has drawn heavy outside money but total tracked spending stands near $164.3 million so far, absentee ballots start mailing Sept. 4, and analysts warn undisclosed dark-money could push late spending higher.