North Carolina Senate
Tue, Nov 3 · Seat held by Thom Tillis Republican since Jan 2015 (not a candidate in 2026)
Roy Cooper 51.3Michael Whatley 40.5
Average of 10 polls, Sep 16 to Oct 25, from VoteHub · how it’s calculated
Newest poll
1 is a partisan pollAlso in the average: Shannon Bray 1.9, Michael Dublin 1Newest · Quantus Insights, field dates Oct 24 to Oct 25, released Oct 27, 722 likely votersPolls updated Oct 31, 2:46 a.m. ET, from VoteHub
Show all 4 candidates on the ballot
- Roy CooperDemocratic
- Michael WhatleyRepublican
- Michael DublinGreen
- Shannon W. BrayLibertarian
Showing major-party nominees, incumbents and candidates with 5%+ in the latest poll or comparable fundraising.
Polls over time
43 polls, through Election Day Nov 3The thick line is the 7-week average, not a forecast. How it’s calculated. All polls. Polls updated Oct 31, 2:46 a.m. ET, from VoteHub.
The polls in this chart (43)
5 polls released in the last 14 days · latest results range from 49.4 to 56.9% (D) and 39 to 43.1% (R) (newest 5 polls on the chart)
43 of the 47 polls for this race, each with both names, plotted on the field end date.
| Pollster | Field dates | Released | Sample | Cooper | Whatley |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantus Insights | Oct 24 to Oct 25 | Oct 27 | 722 likely voters | 51.4 | 42.8 |
| High Point University Survey Research Center | Oct 1 to Oct 20 | Oct 29 | 620 likely voters | 54 | 40 |
| Harper Polling | Oct 18 to Oct 20 | Oct 22 | 600 likely voters | 49.4 | 39.1 |
| ActiVote | Oct 8 to Oct 20 | Oct 21 | 400 likely voters | 56.9 | 43.1 |
| SurveyUSA | Oct 7 to Oct 11 | Oct 13 | 643 likely voters | 54 | 40 |
| Elon University/YouGov | Sep 29 to Oct 8 | Oct 20 | 561 likely voters | 52 | 39 |
| Change Research | Oct 1 to Oct 7 | Oct 13 | 829 likely voters | 50 | 40 |
| East Carolina University | Sep 30 to Oct 3 | Oct 9 | 810 likely voters | 49.5 | 42.8 |
| Big Data Poll | Sep 27 to Sep 29 | Oct 1 | 642 likely voters | 47.4 | 35.2 |
| InsiderAdvantage | Sep 16 to Sep 18 | Sep 18 | 1,200 likely voters | 48.4 | 42.5 |
| High Point University Survey Research Center | Sep 9 to Sep 16 | Sep 24 | 706 likely voters | 50 | 42 |
| Harper Polling | Sep 13 to Sep 15 | Sep 18 | 608 likely voters | 49 | 34 |
| East Carolina University | Aug 31 to Sep 3 | Sep 11 | 675 likely voters | 52 | 44 |
| Elon University/YouGov | Aug 21 to Aug 31 | Sep 10 | 565 likely voters | 49 | 38 |
| High Point University Survey Research Center | Aug 3 to Aug 12 | Aug 26 | 660 likely voters | 50 | 45 |
| High Point University Survey Research Center | Aug 3 to Aug 12 | Aug 26 | 800 registered voters | 48 | 41 |
| Harper Polling | Aug 9 to Aug 10 | Aug 14 | 600 likely voters | 51.5 | 39 |
| Change Research | Aug 3 to Aug 6 | Aug 10 | 915 likely voters | 50 | 43 |
| Change Research | Jul 29 to Aug 1 | Aug 7 | 967 likely voters | 50 | 41 |
| Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research | Jul 23 to Jul 27 | Jul 30 | 1,005 registered voters | 53 | 44 |
| Elon University/YouGov | Jul 21 to Jul 23 | Aug 12 | 466 likely voters | 53 | 42 |
| Elon University/YouGov | Jul 21 to Jul 23 | Aug 12 | 717 registered voters | 51 | 35 |
| Public Policy Polling | Jul 10 to Jul 11 | Jul 13 | 759 likely voters | 48 | 44 |
| The New York Times/Siena University | Jun 15 to Jun 27 | Jul 1 | 601 likely voters | 50 | 43 |
| YouGov | Jun 1 to Jun 10 | Jun 23 | 905 likely voters | 48 | 34 |
| Harper Polling | May 10 to May 11 | May 15 | 600 likely voters | 49.8 | 38.7 |
| Change Research | May 4 to May 8 | May 18 | 957 likely voters | 49 | 42 |
| Opinion Diagnostics | Apr 21 to Apr 24 | Apr 30 | 830 likely voters | 50.4 | 41.4 |
| High Point University Survey Research Center/YouGov | Mar 26 to Apr 6 | Apr 16 | 800 registered voters | 49 | 39 |
| High Point University Survey Research Center/YouGov | Mar 26 to Apr 6 | Apr 16 | 703 likely voters | 50 | 42 |
| Harper Polling | Mar 22 to Mar 23 | Jun 15 | 600 likely voters | 48.9 | 41.1 |
| YouGov | Mar 9 to Mar 18 | Apr 1 | 871 likely voters | 48 | 34 |
| Public Policy Polling | Mar 13 to Mar 14 | Mar 16 | 556 registered voters | 47 | 44 |
| Nexus Strategies/Strategic Partners Solutions | Mar 8 to Mar 9 | Mar 30 | 800 likely voters | 50 | 32 |
| Change Research | Jan 31 to Feb 4 | Feb 20 | 1,069 registered voters | 50 | 40 |
| TIPP Insights | Jan 12 to Jan 15 | Feb 17 | 1,512 registered voters | 48 | 24 |
| Change Research | Jan 5 to Jan 7 | Feb 17 | 1,105 likely voters | 47 | 42 |
| Harper Polling | Nov 9 to Nov 10 | Feb 17 | 600 likely voters | 47 | 39 |
| Harper Polling | Sep 14 to Sep 15 | Feb 17 | 600 likely voters | 46 | 42 |
| Change Research | Sep 2 to Sep 8 | Feb 17 | 855 likely voters | 48 | 41 |
| Harper Polling | Aug 11 to Aug 12 | Feb 17 | 600 likely voters | 47.3 | 39.1 |
| Emerson College | Jul 28 to Jul 30 | Feb 17 | 1,000 registered voters | 46.7 | 41.4 |
| Victory Insights | Jul 28 to Jul 30 | Feb 17 | 600 likely voters | 44.4 | 43.5 |
Polls left off the chart (4 of 47)
| Poll | Why it is not on the chart |
|---|---|
| Harper PollingNov 9 to Nov 10 | Names fewer than two candidates on this ballot (lists Roy Cooper, Don Brown) |
| Public Policy PollingMar 4 to Mar 5 | Names fewer than two candidates on this ballot (lists Roy Cooper, Thom Thillis) |
| Victory InsightsNov 26 to Nov 29 | Names fewer than two candidates on this ballot (lists Roy Cooper, Lara Trump) |
| Victory InsightsNov 26 to Nov 29 | Names fewer than two candidates on this ballot (lists Roy Cooper, Thom Thillis) |
Side by side
Left column: CooperRight column: Whatley
- Total receipts, 2025-2026 cycle, through Oct 14
- $49.6M
- $13.7M
- Cash on hand
- $9.1M
- $902K
- Age on Election Day
- 69
- 58
Money: FEC bulk data, through Oct 14. One or more are matched to the FEC by name, party and seat, so a total could belong to someone else.
How these are counted
Total receipts line of each candidate’s principal campaign committee, 2025-2026 cycle. Other sites may show career, six-year or all-committee totals, which differ. Cooper: $49,585,341 received, $9,088,860 cash on hand. Whatley: $13,668,468 received, $902,238 cash on hand.
What changed in this race
Newest firstNEW POLLNorth Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate: Roy Cooper 54, Michael Whatley 40
High Point University Survey Research Center, Oct 1 to Oct 20, 620 likely voters
NEW POLLNorth Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate: Roy Cooper 51.4, Michael Whatley 42.8
Quantus Insights, Oct 24 to Oct 25, 722 likely voters
More about this race
Candidates on the ballot
- Roy CooperDemocratic
- Michael WhatleyRepublican
- Michael DublinGreen
- Shannon W. BrayLibertarian
Source: s3.amazonaws.com (CSV), dated Oct 25
Seat on the ballot, shift from 2014 to 2020: 0.3 points toward Republicans (Republican by 1.5 in 2014, Republican by 1.8 in 2020).
Vote in North Carolina
Trouble voting? Election Protection hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE. A nonpartisan coalition of civil-rights and voting-rights groups, not a government service. 866ourvote.org
Official results for North Carolina
History (16 elections for this seat)
- Votes for listed candidates
- 3,773,924
- Election day
- November 8, 2022
US Senate, North Carolina, 2022, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanTed BuddWon Republican 1,905,78650.5% DemocraticCheri Beasley Democratic 1,784,04947.3% LibertarianShannon W. Bray Libertarian 51,6401.4% GreenMatthew Hoh Green 29,9340.8% OtherOther Other 2,3780.1% OtherMichelle Estelle Lewis Other 1370.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 5,474,952
- Election day
- November 3, 2020
US Senate, North Carolina, 2020, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanThom TillisWon Republican 2,665,59848.7% DemocraticCal Cunningham Democratic 2,569,96546.9% LibertarianShannon W. Bray Libertarian 171,5713.1% OtherKevin E. Hayes Other 67,8181.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 4,691,133
- Election day
- November 8, 2016
US Senate, North Carolina, 2016, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRichard BurrWon Republican 2,395,37651.1% DemocraticDeborah K. Ross Democratic 2,128,16545.4% LibertarianSean Haugh Libertarian 167,5923.6% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,915,281
- Election day
- November 4, 2014
US Senate, North Carolina, 2014, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanThom TillisWon Republican 1,423,25948.8% DemocraticKay R. Hagan Democratic 1,377,65147.3% LibertarianSean Haugh Libertarian 109,1003.7% Scattered write-ins Write-in 4,6500.2% OtherJohn Rhodes Other 6210.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,660,079
- Election day
- November 2, 2010
US Senate, North Carolina, 2010, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRichard BurrWon Republican 1,458,04654.8% DemocraticElaine Marshall Democratic 1,145,07443.0% LibertarianMichael Beitler Libertarian 55,6872.1% Scattered write-ins Write-in 1,2720.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 4,271,970
- Election day
- November 4, 2008
US Senate, North Carolina, 2008, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticKay HaganWon Democratic 2,249,31152.7% RepublicanElizabeth Dole Republican 1,887,51044.2% LibertarianChristopher Cole Libertarian 133,4303.1% Scattered write-ins Write-in 1,7190.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 3,472,082
- Election day
- November 2, 2004
US Senate, North Carolina, 2004, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRichard BurrWon Republican 1,791,45051.6% DemocraticErskine Bowles Democratic 1,632,52747.0% LibertarianTom Bailey Libertarian 47,7431.4% Scattered write-ins Write-in 3620.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,331,181
- Election day
- November 5, 2002
US Senate, North Carolina, 2002, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanElizabeth H. DoleWon Republican 1,248,66453.6% DemocraticErskine B. Bowles Democratic 1,047,98345.0% LibertarianSean Haugh Libertarian 33,8071.5% Scattered write-ins Write-in 7270.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,012,143
- Election day
- November 3, 1998
US Senate, North Carolina, 1998, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn EdwardsWon Democratic 1,029,23751.2% RepublicanLauch Faircloth Republican 945,94347.0% LibertarianBarbara Howe Libertarian 36,9631.8% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,556,456
- Election day
- November 5, 1996
US Senate, North Carolina, 1996, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJesse HelmsWon Republican 1,345,83352.6% DemocraticHarvey B. Gantt Democratic 1,173,87545.9% LibertarianRay Ubinger Libertarian 25,3961.0% OtherJ. Victor Pardo Other 11,2090.4% Scattered write-ins Write-in 1430.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,577,891
- Election day
- November 3, 1992
US Senate, North Carolina, 1992, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanLauch FairclothWon Republican 1,297,89250.3% DemocraticTerry Sanford Democratic 1,194,01546.3% LibertarianBobby Yates Emory Libertarian 85,9483.3% OtherBruce Kimball Other 230.0% OtherMary Ann Zakutney Other 130.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,069,585
- Election day
- November 6, 1990
US Senate, North Carolina, 1990, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJesse HelmsWon Republican 1,087,33152.5% DemocraticHarvey B. Gantt Democratic 981,57347.4% Scattered write-ins Write-in 6810.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 1,534,848
- Election day
- not on file
- Type
- Special election
US Senate, North Carolina, 1986, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTerry SanfordWon Democratic 780,96750.9% RepublicanJames T. (Jim) Broyhill Republican 753,88149.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,239,051
- Election day
- November 6, 1984
US Senate, North Carolina, 1984, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJesse HelmsWon Republican 1,156,76851.7% DemocraticJames B. (Jim) Hunt Jr. Democratic 1,070,48847.8% LibertarianBobby Yates Emory Libertarian 9,3020.4% OtherKate Daher Other 2,4930.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 1,797,665
- Election day
- November 4, 1980
US Senate, North Carolina, 1980, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJohn P. EastWon Republican 898,06450.0% DemocraticRobert Morgan Democratic 887,65349.4% LibertarianF. W. (Rick) Pasotto Libertarian 7,6020.4% OtherRebecca Finch Other 4,3460.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 1,135,814
- Election day
- November 7, 1978
US Senate, North Carolina, 1978, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJesse HelmsWon Republican 619,15154.5% DemocraticJohn Randolph Ingram Democratic 516,66345.5%
1978 to 2022: MIT Election Data and Science Lab, U.S. Senate statewide 1976-2024, retrieved Oct 28, 2026. Compiled by MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL) from official returns; not an official source
Download and cite
Cite this page
Election Wrld. (2026). US Senate in North Carolina, election results. https://www.electionwrld.com/nc/us-senate. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
Sources
Sources: U.S. Senate: senators contact information XML (class per senator) (US government work, public domain), retrieved Oct 28, 2026; MIT Election Data and Science Lab, U.S. Senate statewide 1976-2024 (CC0 1.0), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL) from official returns, not an official source; unitedstates/congress-legislators (current) (CC0-1.0), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by the @unitedstates project volunteers (rosters from official congressional sources) from official returns, not an official source.
DataState data (JSON)Sources: MIT Election Data and Science Lab, U.S. Senate statewide 1976-2024, VoteHub polls (CC BY 4.0), FEC, Photo creditsData as of Oct 30, 2026 (candidate list Oct 28, 2026)