(The Center Square) – Advertising campaigns are increasing, targeting North Carolina voters two weeks away from getting absentee ballots in the mail.
The Senate Leadership Fund, supporting Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, released a spot this week bringing more attention to the deal Democratic candidate Roy Cooper as governor signed off on in 2021. More than 4,000 prisoners were set free in what was said to be nonviolent cases; at least 18 have gone on to pick up murder charges.
The Senate Majority PAC, supporting Cooper, released two advertisements focused on Whatley and the registered sex offender he appointed to positions within the North Carolina Republican Party. Whatley was chairman of the state party prior to being tapped to lead the Republican National Convention by Donald Trump.
Originally projected by national politicos to be an election of $500 million to $1 billion, it’s cleared at least $159.1 million thus far.
According to Federal Elections Commission filings, through the second quarter ending June 30, Cooper’s campaign has raised more than $34.9 million and Whatley more than $11.2 million. Cooper is fourth behind Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff ($97.9 million), Texas Democrat James Talarico and former Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown ($38.5). Whatley is 26th overall and ninth among Republicans, inclusive of some not reaching the Nov. 3 ballot.
Additionally, Cooper has gotten $42 million more from the Senate Majority PAC and WinSenate while the Senate Leadership Fund backing Whatley has pledged $71 million.
This U.S. Senate seat is viewed as a major player nationally in the quest for a majority in the chamber. Republicans have 53 seats today. In no particular order, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, Maine, Iowa, New Hampshire, Alaska, Texas and Montana are the other top battlegrounds among 35 races.
No state has a longer voting window than North Carolina. The 60-day period kicks off in two weeks, on Sept. 4, with absentee ballots that can be requested by any registered voter and mailed; historically, some are returned within a week. Early in-person voting is Oct. 15-31, and Election Day is Nov. 3.
North Carolinians will choose a U.S. senator, all 14 members of the U.S. House, and all 170 members of the General Assembly.
Republicans are 5-for-5 in North Carolina's U.S. Senate races since losing to the late Kay Hagan in 2008. Democrats chase back to 1998 for the last time winning a Senate seat at the midterms. Yet Cooper, a career politician since 1986, counters with statewide wins in four attorney general races and two gubernatorial races – all from 2000 to 2020.
Republicans in statewide races for this decade – 2020, 2022 and 2024 – are 32-10 against Democrats, a party with significantly declining voter registrations for more than 20 consecutive years.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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