Cooper leads Whatley by double digits in NC Senate poll; 70%+ say Trump will drive their vote
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- Another poll released this week puts Roy Cooper ahead of Michael Whatley by more than 10 points in the race for a North Carolina US Senate seat.
What is new is that Catawba College and YouGov found the president plays a major role in how voters choose their candidate in one of the most closely watched races in 2026.
Throughout the campaign, Whatley, the Republican nominee, has made it clear where he stands when it comes to the president. He most recently hosted him in Gastonia, telling supporters, "Donald Trump is fighting to make America great."
But that new data out from Catawba College and YouGov suggests the president's approval rating could impact Whatley's performance in November.
That survey found more than 70 percent of respondents will vote based on how they view the President, meaning the vast majority of those who approve will go for Whatley, and nearly the same amount of those who disapprove will go for Cooper, the democrat.
And while national polls consistently show that more Americans disapprove of the President than approve, Whatley has not wavered in his support.
Dr. Michael Bitzer, who oversees polling for Catawba College and YouGov, noted that Republicans recognized the power that the President has within the party, but that, "in this day and age, with the president's approval rating sinking, and this is the lowest level that we have seen in our poll for Catawba, YouGov. This is a potential anchor on a Republican candidate."
While Bitzer acknowledged that Trump's base is uniquely loyal, Republicans in North Carolina are starting to shift their allegiance from the President back to the party.
"A year ago, back in October of 2025, we found that basically 55% of North Carolina Republicans said they were more a Trump supporter than the party supporter. Well, this year it has reversed itself, and now it's 61% saying I'm more a party Republican than I am a Trump Republican," said Bitzer.
Early voting for the November general election kicks off in North Carolina on Oct. 15.
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