A recent poll conducted by the ECU Center for Survey Research reveals that Democratic nominee Roy Cooper holds a seven-point lead over Republican nominee Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race. The survey, conducted from September 30 to October 3, found Cooper supported by 50% of likely voters and Whatley by 43%, with only 6% undecided and 2% backing a minor-party or write-in candidate. The margin is unchanged from the previous month’s poll, but the share of undecided voters has dropped from 14% to 6%.
When undecided voters are removed in a forced-choice scenario, Cooper’s lead remains at seven percentage points, with 53% supporting Cooper and 46% supporting Whatley. The poll has a credibility interval of +/- 4 percentage points, similar to a traditional margin of error. The full announcement, including downloadable images and bios, can be viewed by click here.
The economy and cost of living emerge as the top issue for a majority of likely voters (55%). Among these voters, Cooper expands his lead significantly to 60% versus 31%. Cooper’s advantage is also driven by a 16-point lead among independents (52% to 36%, with about 7% undecided) and a net-positive favorability rating (48% favorable to 43% unfavorable). In contrast, Whatley’s ratings are net-negative, with 31% favorable and 43% unfavorable.
The ECU Center for Survey Research, which directed the poll, is a member of the AAPOR Transparency Initiative (TI). For additional information about the ECU Poll and its methodology, please refer to the documentation provided in the TI report. The poll’s findings are significant as they suggest a stable lead for Cooper in a key Senate race, with the economy playing a crucial role in voter decision-making. The data is distributed by Reportable, Inc.
