# Trump rallies for Whatley as NC Senate seat slips

> Economic pain could flip a typically safe Republican seat as Michael Whatley trails Roy Cooper in the polls.
- Title: Trump rallies for Whatley as NC Senate seat slips · ABC News
- Summary: Economic pain could flip a typically safe Republican seat as Michael Whatley trails Roy Cooper in the polls. Economic frustrations over rising prices could…
- Keywords: donald trump, michael whatley, roy cooper, north carolina, senate race, 2026 midterms, republican party, democratic party, economy, gas prices, gastonia, thom tillis
- Source: ABC News — https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-stumps-senate-candidate-north-carolina-republicans-fear/story?id=136495520
- Author: ABC News
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, michael whatley, roy cooper, north carolina, senate race, 2026 midterms, republican party, democratic party, economy, gas prices, gastonia, thom tillis
## Trump campaigns in North Carolina
President Trump is stumping for Senate candidate Michael Whatley in a race that could decide control of Congress.
## A typically safe seat at risk
North Carolina hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008, and Trump won the state in the past three presidential elections.
## Whatley trails Cooper in polls
The former RNC chair continues to lag behind former Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat elected statewide in North Carolina six times.
## Economic pain dominates the race
Rising prices from the gas pump to the grocery store are hitting North Carolina hard, and Whatley could bear the brunt at the ballot box.

> The No. 1 thing people are talking about is what they just spent, whether that's at the gas station or at the grocery store or at a restaurant.
## A referendum on the economy
Most voters will consider the cost of living when deciding who to vote for, not just Trump himself.

> I don't think it's going to be a referendum on Trump, as it is a referendum on the economy, and what Trump might have wrought.
## Cooper's 'Make Stuff Cost Less' tour
Democrats are tying Whatley to rising prices during Trump's second term. Cooper is campaigning on affordability across the state.
## Who gets blamed for high prices
Republicans blame Biden-era policies, but experts note the president in power gets the credit or blame on the economy.
## Trump's turnout power questioned
Trump historically drives turnout, but only when he's on the ballot. There's a drop-off when it's not him running.

> So I'm asking you to pretend that I'm on the ballot. I'm on the ballot.
## Gastonia event in Trump country
The rally is in Gaston County, where Trump defeated Kamala Harris by more than 20 points in 2024.

> No one fires up Republicans to get out and vote like President Trump does and his visit is an important part of turning out Republicans to the polls this November.
## Key takeaway

Economic frustrations over rising prices could cost Republicans a traditionally safe North Carolina Senate seat in November.