Roy Cooper Leads Michael Whatley in North Carolina Senate Poll

An Elon University poll conducted from July 23 to 31 shows Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley by 11 percentage points in the race for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat. Among likely voters, Cooper holds 53% support compared to 42% for Whatley. The contest will determine who replaces retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis.

Cooper maintains a significant advantage in name recognition, with 84% of registered voters familiar with him compared to 53% for Whatley. However, Jason Husser, director of the Elon University Poll, noted that Whatley's familiarity has increased since March. Among the roughly half of voters who are familiar with Whatley, the race is nearly tied, leading Husser to expect the polls may tighten in the coming months.

Other recent surveys suggest a closer race, with Fox News reporting a 9-point lead and Public Policy Polling showing a 4-point lead for Cooper. The election is projected to be one of the most expensive in U.S. history due to tens of millions of dollars in pledged spending.

The poll also tracked broader political sentiment in the state. President Donald Trump holds a 36% approval rating and a 54% disapproval rating in North Carolina, while Governor Josh Stein has a 46% approval rating. Additionally, 53% of respondents expressed opposition to the construction of large technology data centers in local communities.