A recent Fox News poll indicates that in North Carolina, 51% of Democrats express high interest in the midterm elections compared to 42% of Republicans. Additionally, 58% of Democrats report being extremely motivated to vote, while 50% of Republicans feel the same. This enthusiasm may impact the Senate race, where Democrat Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley by 53% to 44%. The gap widens among those who are extremely interested in the election, with Cooper leading 57% to 42%, and among those motivated to vote, 55% to 42%.
Whatley, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, faces challenges due to his association with President Trump, who has a net unfavorable rating of 18 points among North Carolina voters. Concerns about Trump's influence are shared by 48% of voters, including a significant portion of moderates and independents. In contrast, Cooper enjoys strong support from moderates, younger voters, and independents, with 84% of his supporters voting for him rather than against Whatley.
The poll also reveals that inflation is the top issue for 36% of voters, followed by political divisions (14%) and healthcare and immigration (13% each). The survey was conducted from July 23-27, 2026, with a sample of 1,005 registered voters in North Carolina, and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.