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Republicans express concern over North Carolina Senate race, report says

Politico reports that Republicans worry the seat is slipping away as polling favors Democrat Roy Cooper.

The short version

  • Republicans are growing concerned that the North Carolina Senate seat is moving out of contention as Democrat Roy Cooper maintains a polling advantage over Michael Whatley.[Politico]
  • A recent poll showed Cooper leading Whatley by 11 points among likely voters, prompting party figures to call it one of the cycle's toughest races.[Politico]
  • The Senate Leadership Fund has pledged an initial $71 million toward the contest through Election Day.[Politico]
  • The National Republican Senatorial Committee downplayed current deficits, arguing that early polls have previously overstated Democratic prospects in the state.[Politico]

Key facts

  • Republicans are increasingly worried that the North Carolina Senate contest is slipping out of contention.[Politico]
  • Public polling has consistently shown Democrat Roy Cooper leading Republican nominee Michael Whatley, including an 11-point lead in a recent survey of likely voters.[Politico]
  • Sen. Rick Scott characterized North Carolina as probably one of the hardest states on the electoral map.[Politico]
  • The Senate Leadership Fund has committed an initial $71 million in North Carolina through Election Day.[Politico]
  • The NRSC dismissed current polling worries, asserting that past summer polls favoring Democrats in the state proved inaccurate in November.[Politico]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether pledged super PAC spending will successfully narrow the double-digit polling gap before the November election remains uncertain.[Politico]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.