GOP Super PACs Cut North Carolina Ad Spending as Whatley Trails Cooper

Key points

• Old North Action, a GOP-aligned super PAC, canceled $6.5 million in ad reservations for North Carolina in October, according to Semafor and The Washington Post.
• Michael Whatley trails Roy Cooper in polling by 5 to 10 points, a larger gap than in other Republican-held battleground states.
• Senate Leadership Fund removed $900,000 in broadcast buys but added $400,000 in digital ads, calling it a routine rebalancing.
• Republican strategists cite Trump’s low approval ratings and Whatley’s refusal to distance himself from the president as key obstacles.
• North Carolina is one of nine critical battlegrounds for Senate control, where Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage.

Background

North Carolina has not elected a Democratic senator since 2008 and voted for Trump in the last three presidential elections. In September 2026, The Washington Post and Semafor reported growing GOP anxiety over the race, following earlier concerns in August about Whatley’s polling and high media costs. The state’s shifting voter demographics, including a surge in unaffiliated voters, complicate Republican efforts to maintain control.

How outlets are covering it

The Washington Post emphasizes the strategic anxiety within the GOP, noting that while Trump and VP JD Vance have campaigned for Whatley, resources may be pulled if he fails to close the gap. Semafor focuses on the financial decisions, highlighting the $6.5 million ad cancellation by Old North Action and the rebalancing by Senate Leadership Fund. Both outlets agree that Whatley’s inability to distance himself from Trump is a significant liability, but The Washington Post provides more detail on the internal GOP debate over continued support.

Why it matters

North Carolina is a pivotal battleground for Senate control in the 2026 midterms. A loss here could shift the balance of power, especially given the state’s historical Republican lean. The race also tests the viability of Trump-aligned candidates in states where the president’s approval ratings are low, potentially influencing strategies in other competitive districts.

What to watch

Republicans will monitor Whatley’s polling in the coming weeks to decide on further resource allocation. If the gap does not narrow, additional ad spending may be cut. Democrats, including Cooper and Senate Majority PAC, are maintaining their focus on the race, viewing it as a key opportunity to expand their Senate majority.