NCGOP
Coverage of NCGOP in the Nexus archive.
- New $2.3M ad campaign ties Whatley to convicted sex offender as NC’s US Senate race tightens
A Democratic-aligned political group is launching a $2.3 million ad campaign against Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley over his ties to Harvey West, a convicted sex offender. The campaign, run by WinSenate PAC, highlights Whatley's past appointments of West to party roles despite his criminal record.
- Before campaign attack, Whatley urged stronger prison COVID response
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley criticizes former Gov. Roy Cooper for a 2021 prison settlement that allowed early inmate releases but previously supported calls for stronger prison protections during the pandemic. Whatley and NCGOP, which he led, had earlier criticized Cooper for insufficient action on prison conditions amid the crisis.
- North Carolina’s Senate race no longer a toss-up, top forecasters say, with Cooper in the lead
North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race is no longer considered a toss-up, with former Gov. Roy Cooper leading over Republican Michael Whatley. Election forecasters Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Cook Political Report have shifted the race to favor Cooper, citing Whatley’s low name recognition and Trump’s unpopularity as headwinds for GOP candidates.