(The Center Square) – Republican Michael Whatley drew within 3%, inside the margin of error, against Democrat Roy Cooper in polling released Monday for a North Carolina seat in the U.S. Senate.
Cooper, the two-term governor from 2017-2025, leads 47%-44%. The poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling on Friday and Saturday, sampling 556 voters. The margin of error is +/- 4.2%.
In other key questions, incumbent Democratic Justice Anita Earls polled ahead of state Rep. Sarah Stevens, R-Surry, 43%-40% for the state Supreme Court; second-term Republican President Donald Trump was 50% unfavorable and 47% favorable; Cooper was 47% favorable, 40% unfavorable; and Whatley was 32% favorable, 33% unfavorable with 36% not sure.
In three other polls since Jan. 1:
• Cooper led Whatley 50%-40% in Jan. 31-Feb. 4 polling of 1,069 voters (margin of error +/- 3.15) by Change Research released Feb. 21.
• Cooper led Whatley 47%-42% in Jan. 5-7 polling of 1,105 voters (margin of error +/- 3.5%) by Change Research for Carolina Forward released Jan. 20.
• Cooper led Whatley 48%-24% in Jan. 12-15 polling of 1,512 registered voters (margin of error +/- 2.7%) by TechnoMetrica Institute of Policy and Politics (TIPP) for the League of American Workers released Jan. 19.
Public Policy Polling, headquartered in Raleigh, is a firm considered to have a lean to Democrats. Change Research, headquartered in San Francisco, is considered a Democrat-aligned polling firm. TIPP, headquartered in Oradell, N.J., operates as a marketing consultant and research agency.
