A recent poll conducted by the ECU Center for Survey Research reveals that Democratic nominee Roy Cooper maintains 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, shows Cooper with 50% support compared to Whatley's 43%, with only 6% of voters undecided and 2% backing minor-party or write-in candidates.
The margin remains unchanged from last month's poll, but the share of undecided voters has dropped significantly from 14% to 6%. In a forced-choice scenario eliminating the undecided option, Cooper's lead persists at seven points, with 53% supporting Cooper and 46% supporting Whatley. The poll has a credibility interval of +/- 4 percentage points.
According to the full announcement, the economy and cost of living are the top issues for 55% of likely voters. Among these voters, Cooper expands his lead to 60% versus 31%. Cooper's advantage is also driven by a 16-point lead among independents (52% to 36%) and a net-positive favorability rating (48% favorable to 43% unfavorable), while Whatley's ratings are net-negative (31% favorable to 43% unfavorable).
This poll is significant as it suggests a stable lead for Cooper in a key Senate race that could determine control of the U.S. Senate. With the economy as the dominant issue, Cooper's strong performance among economically focused voters and independents may indicate a challenging environment for Whatley. The narrowing number of undecided voters means fewer opportunities for Whatley to shift the race, making the current margin more solid.
The ECU Center for Survey Research, which directed the poll, is a member of the AAPOR Transparency Initiative, ensuring methodological transparency. The poll was distributed by Reportable, Inc., a news release distribution service.
