The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), the primary super PAC for Senate Republicans, has paused its future advertising spending in North Carolina to redirect resources toward defending a seat in Kansas. The shift occurs less than four weeks before the midterm elections as Republican Michael Whatley trails Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper in polling. The group has already spent more than $30 million in North Carolina this cycle but has now reserved $9.8 million in advertising to support incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS).
The decision follows spending reductions by other Republican-aligned groups in the state. Last month, Old North Action canceled $6.5 million in ad reservations intended to support Whatley. Additionally, Americans for Prosperity Action recently excluded North Carolina from a $22 million list of planned spending across key Senate contests. While Donald Trump carried North Carolina in three consecutive presidential elections, a Democrat has not won a Senate seat in the state since 2008.
In Kansas, the Senate Leadership Fund is moving to protect Sen. Marshall against Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton, a pastor seeking to become the first Democrat to represent the state in the Senate since 1932. One recent poll indicated that race is in a statistical tie. The shift in resources comes amid broader economic concerns, including high fuel prices and the impact of the war in Iran, which have affected the national political environment.
The candidates themselves face changes in their campaign strategies. Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman, stated through a spokesperson that his campaign has sufficient resources despite losing outside support. In Kansas, Sen. Marshall receives a late-stage financial cushion to counter Hamilton, who has campaigned on voter discontent regarding healthcare and rising costs for gas and groceries. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), led by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), is currently coordinating ad reservations with six other candidates but has not included Whatley in that group.
The outcome of these races will determine which party sets the legislative agenda for the next two years. Republicans currently hold the majority and can lose up to three seats while maintaining control, but the party is now defending traditionally red-leaning territory. The next major milestones include the general election in November and the subsequent certification of results, which will finalize the balance of power in the upper chamber.