# GOP Faces North Carolina Senate Poll Defeat

> Republican pollster shows Democrat Roy Cooper leading by 15 points in critical Senate race.
- Title: GOP Faces North Carolina Senate Poll Defeat · Newsweek
- Summary: Republican pollster shows Democrat Roy Cooper leading by 15 points in critical Senate race. Democrat Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley by 15 points…
- Keywords: roy cooper, michael whatley, north carolina, senate race, republican pollster, harper polling, cook political report, prediction markets, senate control, GOP, Faces, North
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/gop-faces-devastating-north-carolina-poll-from-republican-pollster-12457781
- Published: 2026-09-17T21:13:03+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: roy cooper, michael whatley, north carolina, senate race, republican pollster, harper polling, cook political report, prediction markets, senate control
## North Carolina Senate Race
Democrat Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley by 15 points in latest poll.

> Former Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, held a 15-point lead over Republican Michael Whatley in the latest poll of the North Carolina Senate race from a GOP-affiliated pollster
## Harper Polling Survey
Harper Polling, a Republican-affiliated firm, conducted the survey with 608 likely voters.

> It surveyed 608 likely voters from September 13 to 15, 2026, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.97 percentage points.
## Cooper's Lead
Cooper has 49% support, Whatley 34% in Harper Polling survey.

> Cooper’s support stood at 49 percent, while 34 percent of respondents said they planned to cast their ballots for Whatley
## Voter Sentiment
Cooper is viewed favorably by 47%, Whatley by 26%.

> Favorable views of Cooper stood at 47 percent, while 43 percent viewed him negatively. Meanwhile, 26 percent of voters viewed Whatley favorably, while 42 percent viewed the Republican unfavorably.
## Trump Campaign
Trump campaigned with Whatley in North Carolina this week.

> The president urged his supporters to 'go out and pretend I'm on the ticket.'
## Cooper Campaign Response
Cooper campaign says race will be competitive and close.

> A Democrat has not won statewide federal office in North Carolina in nearly two decades and we know this race will be very close
## Other Polls
Eastern Carolina University poll shows Cooper leading by 8 points.

> The Democratic candidate led an Eastern Carolina University poll by 8 points, 52 percent to 44 percent.
## Prediction Markets
Cooper has 92% chance of winning on prediction markets.

> He had a 92 percent chance of winning on both Kalshi and Polymarket on Thursday.
## Swing State
North Carolina is a key swing state for Senate control.

> North Carolina is one of the most closely divided swing states in the country, having voted for both Democrats and Republicans in recent elections.
## National Implications
Democrats need North Carolina to flip Senate control.

> Democrats must flip four seats in November to win control of the chamber, as Vice President JD Vance would serve as the tiebreaker.
## What Happens Next
Both candidates will campaign for voters ahead of November election.

> North Carolina will be closely watched over the coming weeks as the battle for Senate control heats up.
## Key takeaway

Democrat Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley by 15 points in North Carolina Senate race, a key swing state for Democrats to flip Senate control.