NC-SEN: Cooper maintains wide name recognition lead in NC Senate race
As North Carolina gears up for the 2026 mid-term elections, a new Elon University Poll reveals former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper holding a wide name recognition advantage in the U.S. Senate race, while voters statewide express significant and growing uncertainty about the electoral process itself.
In a survey of 800 North Carolina adults conducted from March 13 to 20, 2026, 70% said they have heard a “great deal” or “some” about Cooper, compared to just 35% who have heard the same amount about his Republican opponent, Michael Whatley.
Whatley, who formerly served as chair of the Republican National Committee and the North Carolina Republican Party, remains largely unknown to registered voters. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (62%) said they have heard “only a little” (33%) or “nothing” (29%) about him.
When asked about their overall impressions, 48% of registered voters viewed Cooper favorably and 34% unfavorably. For Whatley, 25% of registered voters viewed him favorably, 34% unfavorably and a plurality of 41% hold a neutral opinion.
https://www.elon.edu/u/news/2026/04/02/elon-poll-cooper-maintains-wide-name-recognition-lead-in-nc-senate-race/
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