Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has opened up a double-digit lead over Republican Michael Whatley in the Tar Heel State’s Senate race, according to a new poll.
The AARP survey, released Monday, found 53% of respondents said they would definitely or probably support Cooper, or were leaning toward him, if the election were held that day. Whatley, the former chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), drew 42% support by the same measure.
Another 1% said they backed someone else, while 5% said they were unsure of which candidate they would choose.
The poll was conducted Sept. 17-20 and surveyed 1,115 likely voters. It carries a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points.
The numbers arrive as Republicans face a challenging electoral landscape heading into the midterms. Slumping approval ratings for President Donald Trump, widespread concerns about the cost of living and the unpopular Iran war are among the factors creating obstacles for the GOP as Election Day approaches.
According to a polling average from Decision Desk HQ, Trump’s approval rating stood at 38.8% as of Sunday evening. His disapproval rating sat at 59.6%.
Republicans are determined to hold onto the North Carolina Senate seat, and the president has personally stepped in to help.
Earlier this month, Trump made a campaign stop in Gastonia, North Carolina, to rally supporters behind Whatley. North Carolina has been friendly territory for Trump, who has carried the state in all three of his presidential runs.
During the rally, the president credited Whatley with playing a role in those wins.
“We won those record-setting victories with the help of a man named Michael Whatley,” Trump told the crowd in mid-September. “He was incredible.”
Trump went on to praise Whatley for his work leading the RNC alongside Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law.
Despite the president’s backing, the latest survey shows Whatley with ground to make up against Cooper, who previously served as governor of the state.
Cooper’s 53% support puts him above the majority mark in the AARP poll, while Whatley trails by 11 points. With just 5% of likely voters still undecided and 1% backing someone else, the GOP candidate faces a steep climb to close the gap.
The race is shaping up as one of the key contests in the battle for control of the Senate, with Republicans keen to keep the seat in their column.
For Whatley, the challenge comes against the backdrop of a difficult national environment for his party. Concerns over the cost of living remain widespread, the Iran war has proven unpopular, and the president’s approval numbers have slumped.
Still, Trump’s past success in North Carolina gives Republicans reason to fight for the state. The president has won it three times, and he has made clear he views Whatley as a key part of those victories.
Whether that track record can translate into a win for Whatley remains to be seen as the midterms draw closer.
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