North Carolina Senate candidate Michael Whatley says voters are shifting from Democrats to unaffiliated

Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley told a debate audience that North Carolina voters are moving away from the Democratic Party toward unaffiliated status. He noted that Republicans currently hold a slight registration edge over Democrats, while independents comprise the largest bloc of voters. Whatley said new immigrants and 18‑year‑old registrants are more likely to register as Republicans, and he attributed the shift to Democrats “drifting away from voters’ values” and embracing what he described as “extremism.”

He criticized Governor Roy Cooper, arguing that the governor’s policies on crime, gender‑related legislation and education have pushed moderates toward independence. Whatley also linked the trend to former President Donald Trump’s past electoral successes in the state, saying Trump’s “common‑sense agenda” resonated with voters.