RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — In one of the most watched Senate races in the country, we’re getting a glance at campaign finances for the Democratic and Republican frontrunners seeking to become North Carolina’s next senator.
North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat will be up for grabs in 2026 after Republican incumbent Thom Tillis announced he would not seek re-election.
Democratic former governor Roy Cooper, the only major candidate seeking his party’s nomination, has raised $14.5 million, his campaign said Monday.
According to Cooper’s campaign, the $14.5 million raised by the third quarter of 2025 is a record for a U.S. Senate challenger. More than 90% of the donations were $100 or less and came from all 100 counties in the state.
“Roy Cooper will always put North Carolinians first and this record-breaking fundraising reflects a massive groundswell of support for our campaign,” Cooper for North Carolina campaign manager Jeff Allen said in a statement. “This will be the most competitive race in the country and we’re putting a people-powered organization together to flip this seat and send Roy Cooper to the Senate to lower costs and deliver for North Carolina families.”
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, is the frontrunner for the GOP nomination. He has raised $5.8 million by the third quarter of 2025, according to his campaign.
Whatley’s campaign said the $5.8 million shows widespread support for his bid to represent North Carolina in the Senate.
“I am incredibly grateful for each and every donation to my campaign,” Whatley said in a statement. “This early support is a clear rebuke of Roy Cooper’s liberal agenda. North Carolinians are tired of his soft-on-crime policies, his failures on public safety, and his loyalty to Washington Democrats over the people of this state.
“In the Senate, I will be a true America First partner to President Trump and deliver real results for North Carolina families,” Whatley continued in his statement.
In the most recent polling from August, Cooper led Whatley by six points.
Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate race in North Carolina since 2008.
Matthew Sockol
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