Roy Cooper's $31.4M ad blitz fuels North Carolina's high-stakes Senate race
North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, is making a strong push for the U.S. Senate with a $31.4 million advertising boost. The funding comes from the Senate Majority PAC, part of a larger $111.2 million investment across three key states. Polls already show Cooper leading his Republican rival, Michael Whatley, by a steady margin. Cooper’s political record stands out with 13 straight election wins, including two terms as governor and four as attorney general. His campaign holds a significant financial edge, reporting $18.4 million in cash at the end of March—far ahead of Whatley’s $2.5 million. The upcoming November 3 election also includes Libertarian candidate Shannon Bray.
North Carolina’s political history adds weight to the race. The state has elected only three Republican governors since 1900, yet Democrats have struggled in Senate races, winning just four times in 50 years. If successful, Cooper would become the first Democrat to claim a Senate seat in the state since 2008 and the first to do so in a midterm election since 1998. Whatley, meanwhile, faces criticism for his handling of Hurricane Helene relief efforts and rising costs for residents. The race is expected to be one of the most expensive in history, with total spending projected between $750 million and $1 billion.
The Senate Majority PAC’s $31.4 million injection will fund extensive TV advertising for Cooper’s campaign. His consistent poll leads and financial advantage set him apart in a state where Senate victories for Democrats have been rare. The outcome will determine whether Cooper breaks a decades-long trend in North Carolina politics.
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