A new poll from East Carolina University's Center for Survey Research finds Democrat Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley by nine percentage points in North Carolina's U.S. Senate race, 54% to 45%, with 1% supporting a minor-party or write-in candidate. The survey, conducted October 26 through 29, shows Cooper's lead expanding slightly from the seven-point advantage he held in the center's report last month.
The poll carries a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, a measure similar to a traditional margin of error. For readers seeking the full announcement, including downloadable images and bios, the center provides click here.
Cooper's advantage is fueled by a 14-point lead among independent voters, a bloc that often decides competitive statewide races. The poll also shows Cooper with a net-positive favorability rating of 52% favorable to 39% unfavorable, while Whatley holds a net-negative rating of 34% favorable to 44% unfavorable. Those numbers suggest the Democratic candidate is better positioned to attract swing voters in the final stretch before Election Day.
The economy and cost of living rank as the top issue for 47% of voters surveyed. Among that group, Cooper leads Whatley by a two-to-one margin, 67% to 33%. That finding is particularly significant because it indicates the Republican candidate is not capitalizing on the issue voters care about most, despite historical advantages his party might expect on economic matters.
The nonpartisan polling is conducted by the ECU Center for Survey Research, which studies elections, politics, and public policy issues in North Carolina and across the nation. The center's work is distributed by Reportable, Inc..
For North Carolina voters, the poll offers a snapshot of a race that could help determine control of the U.S. Senate. For businesses and industries with stakes in federal policy, the widening gap suggests that Cooper's message on economic concerns is resonating with the electorate. With just days until Election Day, the nine-point margin indicates a potentially uphill battle for Whatley as he seeks to close the gap.
