A new poll released Friday shows former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) leading former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley by 5 percentage points in the state’s U.S. Senate race. The High Point University Poll found that 50% of likely voters supported Cooper, while 45% favored Whatley. This survey indicates a narrower margin than other recent polls conducted in August.
The candidates are competing to fill the seat of retiring Senator Thom Tillis (R). The contest is one of six Republican-held seats that Democrats are seeking to win in their attempt to gain control of the Senate. Currently, Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber; Democrats would need a net gain of at least four seats to secure a majority.
The High Point University survey of 660 likely voters, conducted from August 3 to August 12, carried a margin of error of 5.2 percentage points. This result follows a Carolina Journal poll released last week that showed Cooper with a 13-point lead (52% to 39%) and a Carolina Forward poll from earlier this month that placed Cooper 7 points ahead of Whatley.
North Carolina voters will notice the impact of this race through intensified campaign activity and advertising as both parties prioritize the seat. If the seat flips to Democratic control, it would represent a change in the state's federal representation, as North Carolina has supported the Republican presidential candidate in the last three elections. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election analysis group, moved the race's status from "toss-up" to "leans Democratic" in April, reflecting the recent polling trends favoring the former governor.
The election results will influence future policy decisions regarding federal spending, taxes, and social programs that affect the take-home pay and benefits of all Americans. Following the August polling period, the next major milestone for North Carolina voters is the general election in November 2026. The winner will serve a six-year term in the Senate, helping to shape federal policy through the end of the decade. Currently, no specific dates for debates or further polling deadlines were provided in the report.