Overview
- Cooper leads Whatley 50% to 39% in a Harper Polling/Carolina Journal survey of 600 likely voters conducted Sunday and Monday, with a ±4 point margin of error.
- His advantage widened from an eight-point edge in March, extending a steady lead in the pollster’s tracking of this open-seat contest viewed as pivotal for Senate control.
- Whatley trails on familiarity, with 33% saying they have never heard of him and 25% viewing him favorably; Cooper is viewed favorably by 50% and unfavorably by 39%.
- The broader climate looks rough for the GOP, with 58% saying the country is on the wrong track, 54% saying North Carolina is off course, and Trump’s approval at 42% approve to 57% disapprove.
- Democrats also hold down-ballot edges, including 48%–41% on the state legislative generic, 48%–44% on the congressional generic, and a 41%–36% lead for Justice Anita Earls in the state Supreme Court race.