News

North Carolina Senate Race Heats Up as Cooper, Whatley Pull in Millions

Open seat battle becomes a major midterm showdown as fundraising surges in one of the nation’s key Senate races

Published

3 weeks ago

April 21, 2026

In the midst of a big mid-term cycle for Republicans, the race for the vacant North Carolina senate seat has heated up as campaign funds have entered the tens of millions.

Senator Thom Tillis currently occupies one of the Tar Heel State’s Senate Seats, and announced he will not be seeking re-election this coming cycle. Tillis vocally disapproved of Trump in recent weeks.

In the 2026 first quarter, Republican Michael Whatley’s campaign managed to raise around $5 million. However, Democratic challenger Roy Cooper more than doubled Whatley’s fundraising, accumulating $13.8 million. Cooper announced he would run to replace Senator Tillis when Tillis said he wouldn’t run for the seat again. Cooper was succeeded due to term limits in 2024 by current Democratic governor Josh Stein.

During Cooper’’s time in office, his power was relatively limited due to the Republican super majority in the legislative branch. Once the super majority was removed, Cooper vetoed multiple bills. Some of this vetoed legislation includes: increased jail time/punishment for Doctors who don’t resuscitate infants who survive abortions, a requirement that county sheriff’s offices cooperate with ICE, and the approval of a sweeping school choice scholarship program.

After winning North Carolina's GOP Senate nomination, Michael Whatley called his opponent, former Gov. Roy Cooper, "the most soft on crime governor in the history of North Carolina."

"He put policies in place that allowed criminals to get back on the streets again and again and… pic.twitter.com/HBk8ipeR5q
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 4, 2026

Cooper’s campaign is centered around a motto of “Make Stuff Cost Less.” However, Cooper’s campaign supports a wide range expansion of government subsidized health care. Cooper also claims to support farmers and wants to lower the cost of groceries. When in office, Cooper vetoed legislation for the protection of hog farmers against lawsuits.

Michael Whatley, served as the DNC chair since he was elected in 2024. Whatley oversaw the GOP red wave in the 2024 General, when republicans took the House, Senate, and Presidency. After his success, Whatley was reelected and Trump-endorsed as RNC chair in 2025. Due to his position in the RNC, Whatley is heavily campaigning his strong relationship with President Trump.

Whatley has been a big proponent of tax cuts, for citizens and corporations to do business. Whatley said he has seen tax cuts as the route to achieve job creation and a strong economy. Whatley mentions prioritizing, small businesses, farmers, and manufacturers, who he labels as “job creators.” (RELATED: New Poll Shows NC Republican Base Will Walk Away From 2026 Senate Race If SAVE America Act Dies In The Senate)

“The real conversation that we’re having today is how do we create more jobs, how do you create better jobs, how do we make sure people are going to take home more money, and how do we make sure that people are going to keep more money that they could use for their households in North Carolina?” Whatley said.

On a foreign policy front, Whatley believes the U.S. should remain on track with Trump’s handling of Iran, while continuing to prevent their possession of nuclear weapons. Whatley is also a supporter that the U.S. should continue to strive for the goal of being the number one energy producer.

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New Poll Shows NC Republican Base Will Walk Away From 2026 Senate Race If SAVE America Act Dies In The Senate

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BREAKING NEWS

Secretary Mullin Visits Chimney Rock, Announces Millions In New Flood Relief For Hurricane Helene Victims

DHS Secretary Mullin toured western North Carolina and announced new FEMA flood relief funding as total Hurricane Helene recovery aid surpasses $5.4 billion.

Published

1 month ago

April 8, 2026

Pine & Cardinal

The Trump administration is delivering results for western North Carolina hurricane victims, with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin traveling to the region this week to personally assess ongoing recovery efforts and announce new relief funding following the devastating impacts of Tropical Storm Helene and Hurricane Florence.

Secretary Mullin received an emergency management briefing in Lake Lure before meeting directly with Chimney Rock residents and Mayor Peter O’Leary to hear firsthand accounts of the community’s ongoing recovery challenges. He then hosted a roundtable discussion alongside U.S. Senator Ted Budd, Representatives Chuck Edwards and Tim Moore, FEMA Administrator Karen Evans, first responders, and local leaders — a show of unified federal and state commitment to the region’s rebuilding effort.

“Today, I had the opportunity to meet the fearless State and Local leaders of western North Carolina who are rebuilding their communities after the devastation of Hurricane Helene,” Mullin said. “I saw firsthand hurricane damage still present and will be making sure FEMA relief continues to help Americans rebuild their homes and communities. I am humbled and honored to serve the citizens of our great Homeland.”

The visit came on the heels of major funding announcements from the Trump administration. Last week, President Trump, Secretary Mullin, and FEMA announced an additional $103 million for North Carolina recovery efforts. On Monday, FEMA awarded more than $26 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to eliminate flood risks for severely damaged properties across the state.

That funding will be used to purchase 75 damaged residential properties in Henderson, Polk, and Yancey counties — giving battered homeowners a direct path out of harm’s way and preventing future flood losses in some of the region’s most vulnerable areas. (RELATED: NC Budget Bust: Lawmakers Flee Raleigh as State Remains Only in Nation Without Spending Plan)

In total, FEMA has now provided more than $5.4 billion to North Carolina for Helene recovery efforts, with additional approved funding continuing to flow into affected communities. Of that total, nearly $564.2 million has been paid directly to survivors in individual grants — money going straight into the hands of families working to rebuild their lives.

The Trump administration’s hands-on approach — from presidential-level announcements to cabinet secretary site visits — stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic delays that have historically plagued federal disaster response, and signals a continued commitment to ensuring western North Carolina is not forgotten as the long road to full recovery continues.