North Carolina Senate candidates Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper campaign

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley and Democratic candidate Roy Cooper are intensifying their campaigns in North Carolina, focusing on economic issues and personal controversies.

Whatley is facing scrutiny following a campaign stop at Victory Baptist Church in Sylva, where a longtime employee, Mickey McMahan, was arrested in 2024 on 26 child sex offense charges. Former members have alleged that church leadership ignored warnings regarding McMahan. This follows previous criticism regarding Whatley’s past decision, during his tenure as North Carolina GOP chair, to appoint Harvey West—a convicted sex offender—to influential party committees.

In their campaign tours, Cooper has prioritized healthcare funding, Medicaid expansion, and opposing utility rate hikes from Duke Energy. Whatley has centered his platform on job creation, lower interest rates, inflation reduction, and tax cuts.