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Whatley Sticks With Trump Despite GOP Group Cancellations
Confirmed
In Short: Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley is sticking by former President Donald Trump despite a Republican group canceling ad reservations for his campaign, the Washington Examiner reported.
Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman, is running against Democratic nominee Roy Cooper in the November 3 Senate race.
A Carolina Journal poll showed Cooper leading Whatley by 15.1 points, 49.2% to 34.1%, among likely voters.
Voters have consistently cited the economy, inflation, and cost of living as key issues in this cycle.
During a visit to Greensboro, Vice President Pence praised Whatley as the 'best RNC chair we have ever had' and criticized Cooper as 'the loyal servant of the hard Left' on issues like crime, voter ID, and gender ideology.
President Trump also recently stumped for Whatley in Gastonia, North Carolina, to bolster his campaign.
Whatley's campaign said they were unaware of the pastor who delivered the opening prayer at a recent rally, which was reported by Wbtv.
The race is entering its final weeks, with both candidates having won their respective primaries in March.
Vance, another Republican candidate, urged voters to support GOP candidates in November, calling Democrats 'radicals' and their candidates 'destroyers of the American way of life.
What this adds
Polling and fundraising data continue to favor Cooper over Whatley.
The Washington Examiner and Wbtv reports highlight the challenges Whatley faces in the race despite Trump's support.
Background
President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, on Wednesday, September 16, to support Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
President Donald Trump is set to deliver remarks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, supporting Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
North Carolina is a state in the Southeastern and South Atlantic regions of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia to the southwest, and Tennessee to the west.
What's confirmed
- Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman, is running against Democratic nominee Roy Cooper in the November 3 Senate race.
- A Carolina Journal poll showed Cooper leading Whatley by 15.1 points, 49.2% to 34.1%, among likely voters.
- Voters have consistently cited the economy, inflation, and cost of living as key issues in this cycle.
- During a visit to Greensboro, Vice President Pence praised Whatley as the 'best RNC chair we have ever had' and criticized Cooper as 'the loyal servant of the hard Left' on issues like crime, voter ID, and gender ideology.
- President Trump also recently stumped for Whatley in Gastonia, North Carolina, to bolster his campaign.
- Whatley's campaign said they were unaware of the pastor who delivered the opening prayer at a recent rally, which was reported by Wbtv.
- The race is entering its final weeks, with both candidates having won their respective primaries in March.
- Vance, another Republican candidate, urged voters to support GOP candidates in November, calling Democrats 'radicals' and their candidates 'destroyers of the American way of life.
What's still developing
- Despite Vance’s encouragement, at least one Republican group canceled ad reservations for Whatley, suggesting the GOP is moving resources to more winnable races.
- “There are a lot of people in the state of North Carolina who haven’t made up their minds yet,” he said.
- Polling, however, has consistently shown Cooper, a Democrat who has never lost statewide office, leading Whatley in polling and in fundraising strength.
- Senate candidate Michael Whatley ahead of the general election.
- President Trump did endorse Whatley in the state’s primary election earlier this year.