Roy Cooper Leads North Carolina Senate Race in Fox News Poll

A Fox News poll conducted July 23‑27 2026 of 1,005 registered North Carolina voters shows Democratic former governor Roy Cooper ahead of Republican Michael Whatley by nine points, 53% to 44%, with a margin of error of ±3%.

The contest is for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Thom Tillis and is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and expensive Senate races nationwide, potentially pivotal for party control of Congress.

The poll notes higher enthusiasm among voters who say they are “extremely interested” or “extremely motivated,” expanding Cooper’s lead to 57%‑42% among the most engaged voters. Inflation, healthcare and immigration rank among the top issues for voters.