North Carolina

Compare the Candidates

U.S. Senate

Roy Cooper

Democrat

Michael Whatley

Republican

Roy Cooper

During Cooper’s tenure in public service, he created 60,000 new jobs and fought for more generous unemployment benefits for North Carolinians out of work.

 

Cooper: Campaign website; North Carolina AFL-CIO, 7/24/26; AFGE, 2/27/26.

Michael Whatley

Whatley has never held elective office; he spent two decades as a corporate lobbyist for Duke Energy and oil and gas companies – not for working North Carolinians.

Whatley: American Journal News, 5/28/2025; Carolina Public Press, 5/8/26; North Carolina Democratic Party, 3/4/26.

Roy Cooper

Cooper created a program to lessen the burden of medical debt for working families.

Cooper: Office of Governor Roy Cooper, 7/1/2024. 

Michael Whatley

Whatley told North Carolinians that prices are down and called the market reaction to tariffs an “overreaction”.

Whatley: NC Newsline, 4/8/2026.

Roy Cooper

Cooper fought to expand affordable health care to 720,000 North Carolinians.

Cooper: Press release, 9/24/25; official press release, 3/27/23.

Michael Whatley

Whatley called the federal legislation that cut health coverage/food assistance a “huge win” and has called for eliminating the expansion of Medicaid that working families rely on.

Whatley: Twitter, 7/3/25; Fox News, 7/14/25; American Journal News, 11/21/25.