A new Victory Insights poll of the North Carolina Senate election points to a close race between former Governor Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Michael Whatley, while an Emerson College poll gives Cooper a lead in what is likely to be one of the most competitive of the 2026 midterms.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, backed by top GOP leaders, launched his bid for North Carolina’s open Senate seat on Thursday. The unified support puts Whatley on the fast track to a general election matchup against former Gov.