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Michael Whatley

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GOP Abandons NC Senate Bid, Pivots to Kansas as Whatley Halts Ads
politics3 days ago

GOP Abandons NC Senate Bid, Pivots to Kansas as Whatley Halts Ads

National Republican groups have withdrawn major funding from North Carolina’s Senate race, prompting candidate Michael Whatley to pause television advertising. The Senate Leadership Fund redirected resources to Kansas to defend incumbent Roger Marshall against a surprisingly competitive challenger. This strategic shift reflects a broader Republican retreat from purple states in favor of defending solidly red seats, as Whatley trails former Governor Roy Cooper by double digits in every poll.

via Raleigh News & Observer|
#2026-midterms#michael-whatley#politics
politics3 days ago

GOP Abandons North Carolina to Defend Kansas as Midterm Strategy Shifts

Republican campaign groups are abandoning the North Carolina Senate race to defend the Kansas seat, signaling a shift to triage mode as their financial advantage wanes. The Senate Leadership Fund is pouring millions into Kansas to support incumbent Roger Marshall against Democrat Adam Hamilton, while cutting spending in North Carolina where Michael Whatley trails Roy Cooper. This move reflects a broader retreat from purple states to shore up red-state majorities ahead of the November election.

via Politico|
#2026-midterms#michael-whatley#politics
Senate Leadership Fund halts North Carolina ads, redirects funds to Kansas
politics7 days ago

Senate Leadership Fund halts North Carolina ads, redirects funds to Kansas

The Senate Leadership Fund has paused its advertising campaign in North Carolina, redirecting millions of dollars to other races. This move follows consistent polling showing Republican candidate Michael Whatley trailing Democrat Roy Cooper by a significant margin. The shift reflects a broader GOP strategy to prioritize competitive seats in states like Kansas and Texas to maintain Senate majority control.

via WRAL|
#michael-whatley#midterms#north-carolina
Senate Leadership Fund Abandons North Carolina, Redirects Millions to Kansas
politics8 days ago

Senate Leadership Fund Abandons North Carolina, Redirects Millions to Kansas

Major Republican super PACs have halted ad spending in the North Carolina Senate race, signaling a strategic retreat as candidate Michael Whatley trails former Governor Roy Cooper. The Senate Leadership Fund is redirecting funds to Kansas to support incumbent Roger Marshall, prioritizing the defense of the Senate majority over a likely loss in North Carolina.

via Axios|
#2026-midterms#michael-whatley#politics
Senate Leadership Fund Halts North Carolina Ads, Shifts Focus to Kansas
politics8 days ago

Senate Leadership Fund Halts North Carolina Ads, Shifts Focus to Kansas

The Senate Leadership Fund, the largest Republican super PAC for Senate races, has paused its advertising campaign in North Carolina and redirected funds to Kansas. This move signals a strategic retreat from a race where GOP candidate Michael Whatley is trailing Democrat Roy Cooper by a significant margin. While the super PAC had previously spent over $30 million in North Carolina, it is now launching a seven-figure ad campaign in Kansas to support incumbent Senator Roger Marshall against challenger Adam Hamilton. The shift reflects a broader Republican reassessment of battleground states to protect their Senate majority, with some analysts suggesting the party may be willing to concede North Carolina to secure wins in more competitive states like Kansas, Ohio, and Iowa.

via CNN|
#2026-midterms#michael-whatley#politics
GOP Leadership Shifts Focus as North Carolina and Georgia Senate Races Slip
politics14 days ago

GOP Leadership Shifts Focus as North Carolina and Georgia Senate Races Slip

Republican leadership is deprioritizing North Carolina and Georgia Senate races as polls show deficits for nominees Michael Whatley and Mike Collins. While the NRSC redirects funds to defend red states and flip competitive seats, party leaders publicly deny abandoning the states, citing late-breaking potential and high costs in other races.

via CNN|
#2026-midterms#michael-whatley#mike-collins
GOP leadership deprioritizes North Carolina Senate race as Whatley trails Cooper
politics16 days ago

GOP leadership deprioritizes North Carolina Senate race as Whatley trails Cooper

Republican leadership is shifting resources away from the North Carolina Senate race, where candidate Michael Whatley trails former Governor Roy Cooper. NRSC Chair Tim Scott excluded the state from his top spending targets, and a key super PAC cut $6.5 million in October ad reservations. While some GOP groups maintain spending, party officials express growing anxiety over the outcome.

via The Washington Post|
#2026-midterms#michael-whatley#north-carolina
GOP Super PACs Cut North Carolina Ad Spending as Whatley Trails Cooper
politics17 days ago

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

Republican strategists are growing anxious about the North Carolina Senate race, where incumbent Michael Whatley trails former Governor Roy Cooper by a widening margin. A key GOP super PAC canceled $6.5 million in October ad reservations, signaling potential resource shifts, though other groups maintain spending. The race is a critical battleground for Senate control, with Whatley’s struggles linked to President Trump’s low approval ratings and his refusal to distance himself from the president.

via washingtonpost.com|
#2026-midterms#michael-whatley#north-carolina
Fox News cuts away from Vance's NC rally, calling it un-newsworthy
politics18 days ago

Fox News cuts away from Vance's NC rally, calling it un-newsworthy

Fox News cut away from Vice President JD Vance's 30-minute rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, after eight minutes, with anchor Sandra Smith stating the network would return only if he 'starts to make news.' The clip went viral, drawing criticism for the dismissive tone. Vance was campaigning for GOP Senate nominee Michael Whatley, who is trailing in polls against former Gov. Roy Cooper. The rally drew only about 300 attendees to a 3,000-capacity venue, and Vance focused heavily on attacking Cooper as a 'radical.'

via HuffPost|
#fox-news#jd-vance#michael-whatley
Trump hits North Carolina rally to energize Whatley bid amid midterm headwinds
politics24 days ago

Trump hits North Carolina rally to energize Whatley bid amid midterm headwinds

Trump returned to the campaign trail in North Carolina to back Senate hopeful Michael Whatley, telling voters to “pretend I’m on the ticket” as Republicans try to mobilize their base against Democrat Roy Cooper. He framed the race as a referendum on Cooper’s governorship, invoking a Willie Horton–style contrast on crime and portraying Whatley as a law-and-order candidate, a line Democrats criticized. The event underscores Republicans’ effort to flip a key NC seat amid broader midterm challenges, while Trump also attacked the Fed as it raised interest rates, highlighting economic headwinds for his party.

via The Guardian|
#michael-whatley#north-carolina#politics
Trump Stumps for NC Senate Candidate Whatley as GOP Ad Surge Presses Race
politics24 days ago

Trump Stumps for NC Senate Candidate Whatley as GOP Ad Surge Presses Race

President Trump heads to North Carolina to back Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley as the race intensifies. Whatley trumpets Trump’s agenda and pins the economy on Cooper, while GOP allies pour money into ads (roughly $50M for Republicans vs. $35.2M for Democrats). Cooper’s camp counters with inflation-focused messaging. Whatley has also drawn scrutiny for inviting a convicted sex offender to give the opening prayer at a campaign event, while he leans on Trump and national donors to reach voters.

via AP News|
#campaign-ads#michael-whatley#north-carolina
politics28 days ago

NC Senate Race Heightens GOP Worries as Whatley Trails Cooper

Republicans are increasingly anxious about North Carolina’s Senate race as Whatley trails Democrat Roy Cooper in the polls; despite big outside money from SLF and MAGA Inc. and a Trump visit planned, party insiders warn that the high-cost media markets, unaffiliated-voter dynamics, and a tough environment could make it hard to close the gap before November.

via Politico|
#campaign-spending#michael-whatley#north-carolina