High Point University Poll shows Roy Cooper maintaining a narrow lead over Michael Whatley in North Carolina Senate race

A new High Point University Poll released Friday shows former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper maintaining a lead over former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley in the state’s Senate race, even as the contest is described as tightening.

The poll, conducted among likely North Carolina voters, found Cooper ahead of Whatley by 5 points. The Hill reported that the result reflects Cooper’s continued edge while narrowing the gap compared with the broader race environment described by the campaign landscape.

The poll’s finding matters for both campaigns because likely-voter tests are often used to gauge who is positioned to turn out for the candidates, particularly when the electorate is close enough that small changes in turnout, voter persuasion, or undecided decisions can move statewide outcomes.

Cooper is seeking to return to elected office after serving as governor, and Whatley, a former top party official, has run as the Republican nominee in the Senate contest. The poll’s margin suggests the race remains competitive, with Cooper holding a measurable but not overwhelming advantage.

The High Point University Poll adds to the cycle of polling that both campaigns are using to assess strategy, including how resources may be directed across voter segments that identify as likely to participate.

No other polling numbers beyond the 5-point advantage were detailed in the report, and the poll’s full methodology, including sample size and question wording, was not included in the provided account. Further reporting on the poll’s breakdown would be needed to determine where the race is most vulnerable or most resilient.

As the campaign proceeds, additional public polling, as well as election administration milestones, would likely be the next concrete indicators of how voter preferences are shifting between the candidates in North Carolina’s Senate race.