Cooper Leads Whatley by 9 Points in NC Senate Race as Voters Voice Deep Election Concerns

A new poll commissioned by the elections-integrity group RightCount and conducted by Opinion Diagnostics shows former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper holding a 9-point lead over Republican Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s open US Senate race. The survey, released earlier this month, finds Cooper with 50 percent support among registered voters, compared to 41 percent backing Whatley, with 8 percent undecided.

This margin aligns with other recent polls, including a High Point University survey and a Carolina Journal poll from earlier in the year, both showing Cooper comfortably ahead. However, polling experts caution that the lead likely reflects Cooper’s name recognition and current political climate rather than a settled contest. The memo from Opinion Diagnostics partners Patrick Sebastian and Brian Wynne underscores that a high-intensity campaign could reshape the race, especially since general election advertising has barely begun.

Fundraising figures add complexity to the contest. Cooper outraised Whatley $13.8 million to $5 million in the first quarter of 2026, but a Republican super PAC has pledged a staggering $71 million to support Whatley’s campaign. This influx of outside money could significantly alter the dynamics as the election approaches.

Beyond the horse race, the poll reveals deep voter unease about election integrity and administration in North Carolina. A striking 69 percent of voters believe that states, not the federal government, should run elections—a view held across party lines. While 67 percent express confidence that the 2026 election results will be counted accurately, nearly a third of voters say elections are becoming less trustworthy over time.

Voters also distinguish between national and state-level election concerns. Thirty-six percent believe the 2020 national election had widespread problems or fraud affecting the outcome, but only 18 percent say the same about North Carolina specifically. This gap highlights persistent misinformation and distrust fueled by national narratives.

On election rules, North Carolinians broadly support existing measures like voter ID (77 percent), same-day registration during early voting (66 percent), and maintaining the 17-day early voting period (53 percent). Mail-in voting divides opinion, with 48 percent viewing it as convenient and secure, while 42 percent worry it invites fraud. Similarly, voters are split on absentee ballot deadlines and additional proof of citizenship for registration.

The poll also captures voter fears about threats to the 2026 election’s fairness, with 79 percent concerned about last-minute court decisions changing rules, 75 percent worried about cyberattacks, and majorities anxious about officials not following procedures, federal pressure, premature victory declarations, and noncitizen voting.

The survey was conducted April 21-24, 2026, using live-operator phone calls and SMS-to-web invitations, sampling 829 registered North Carolina voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

This snapshot of the race and voter sentiment underscores the stakes in North Carolina. While Cooper currently leads, the volatile political environment and deep concerns about election integrity mean the fight for this Senate seat will be closely watched—and fiercely contested.