(The Center Square) – Republican Michael Whatley’s campaign for a U.S. Senate seat from North Carolina got a $4.5 million injection from the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group.
Digital advertising, voter contact mail, and an early vote campaign are cited by the group in its investment. The group denounced Democrat Roy Cooper, calling him “a pro-abortion radical.”
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the group, in a statement said, “He even vetoed a bill simply requiring lifesaving care for babies born alive after an attempted abortion. America’s premier pro-life field program is organized, energized, and ready to make 1 million visits to voters over the next 13 months to expose Cooper’s radical record and keep him out of the U.S. Senate.”
The visits will work from offices Charlotte, the Triad, Raleigh and Fayetteville.
The news comes two weeks to the day after release of a poll showing the former Republican National Committee chairman pulling within 46.1%-41.9%. One month earlier, Whatley had trailed the former two-term governor 47.3%-39.1% in a different poll.
The race to succeed Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., is expected to set spending records for a Senate seat, with forecasts having elevated from the $500 million to $750 million range to more than $1 billion.
Cooper is unbeaten in statewide elections six times. Whatley has a rousing endorsement from second-term President Donald Trump, winner of presidential elections in the state three consecutive cycles.
North Carolina’s historical patterns yield as much intrigue as the race’s expense forecast. The state has picked just three Republicans as governor since 1900. Yet federally, it has backed only two Democrats for president in 60 years and has sent only four Democrats to the U.S. Senate in 50 years. None of those Democratic presidents won the state in their reelection bids, and none of the Democratic senators won a second term.
Senate races in the state have gone to Republicans five consecutive times the last 15 years, and seven of eight this century.
Cooper is the sixth former governor of the state to try for the U.S. Senate. One from each major party has lost, and three Democrats have been successful.
There are 35 races for U.S. Senate seats in 2026. The chamber’s president is Republican Vice President J.D. Vance and the chamber includes 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents caucusing with Democrats.
