Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper holds strong fundraising lead over Michael Whatley in 2026 Senate race

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:52:00 +0200

New fundraising disclosures show that former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has built a substantial financial advantage over his Republican opponent Michael Whatley in the race for the state's open U.S. Senate seat. Cooper's campaign and associated fundraising vehicles have raised multiples of what Whatley has brought in so far, underscoring an early edge in donor support and organizational strength. The large sums highlight the competitive nature of the contest, which is drawing national attention as one of the key Senate battlegrounds in the 2026 cycle.

Cooper has emphasized broad small‑dollar and grassroots support, citing contributions from donors across all 100 counties of North Carolina, while also tapping into larger Democratic donor networks. Whatley's campaign, backed by his deep ties to the Republican Party and former chairmanship of the Republican National Committee, has also raised significant funds but has yet to match Cooper's overall total. These filings come at a c