Michael Whatley

Nov 09

Former Gov. Roy Cooper defeats former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley and wins North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race. READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com

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Nov 07

Former Gov. Roy Cooper defeats former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley and wins North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race. READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article317656872.html

Oct 19

OpinionOur endorsement: A stark choice for North Carolina in the US Senate race: Who does the Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer editorial board support: ...

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thedailybeast.com/defiant-dem-star-plans-obnoxious-assault-on-trump

Nov 06

Defiant Dem Star Plans ‘Obnoxious’ Assault on Trump: The Michigan Senator-elect also dished out a profanity-laced insult at the president.

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thedailybeast.com/kaitlan-collins-turns-the-screw-with-brutal-trump-montage

Nov 06

Kaitlan Collins Turns the Screw With Brutal Trump Montage: The president’s support doesn’t have the clout it once did.

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Reuters

A

Oct 28

North Carolina hasn't elected a Democrat to the US Senate in nearly 20 years, but former Governor Roy Cooper has built a double-digit lead over Republican ... Show more

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CNN.com

Oct 29

With early voting underway in North Carolina, Democrats are backing former Gov. Roy Cooper against former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley in a bid to win the ... Show more

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Newsweek

Oct 21

Trump Says He's 'Working Like a Dog' to Defy Midterm History President Donald Trump rallied in Greenville, North Carolina, on Tuesday evening ... Show more

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thedailybeast.com/trump-80-thirsts-over-his-fit-daughter-in-law

Oct 21

Trump, 80, Thirsts Over His ‘Fit’ Daughter-in-Law : The president couldn’t stop gushing about his son Eric’s wife at a North Carolina campaign stop.

theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/oct/20/donald-trump-midterms-republicans-democrats-north-carolina-latest-updates

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The Guardian

B−

Oct 20

Trump continues midterm campaign blitz in North Carolina – US politics live: President to stump for Michael Whatley, who is facing an uphill battle against ...

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317607023.html

Oct 13

President Donald Trump to campaign in Eastern NC two weeks before Election Day: Trump will visit Greenville Oct. 20 for a midterm rally at 7 p.m. ...

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317470972.html

Oct 02

Leading GOP Senate PAC pauses spending on NC candidate Michael Whatley: Michael Whatley loses key backing after SLF and others scale back election ads in North ...

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317529739.html

Oct 07

NC’s Michael Whatley pauses TV ads as campaign rethinks strategy: North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley turns off television ads for now ...

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Sep 17

Trump came to NC to help Michael Whatley. I think he made things worse. | Opinion READ MORE: Trump came to NC to help Michael Whatley. I think he made things worse. | Opinion

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thedailybeast.com/trump-celebrates-columbus-day-with-unhinged-murderers-rant

Oct 12

Trump Celebrates Columbus Day With Unhinged Murder Rant: The president unleashed a furious attack on the Democrat leading in the polls as Republicans scramble to ...

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CNN.com

edition.cnn.com/2026/10/02/politics/senate-gop-spending-north-carolina

Oct 02

Top Senate GOP group puts pause on spending in North Carolina: National Republicans are starting to make major moves to divert resources away from the North ...

6 similar articles

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article317366786.html

Sep 25

OpinionRepublicans are already starting to give up on Michael Whatley in NC | Opinion: A steady trickle of media reports suggest that Republicans have lost hope of ...

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The Hill

thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6139667-north-carolina-roy-cooper-democrats-midterm-elections/

Oct 11

Why North Carolina is shifting Democratic: Democrats have the wind at their backs in North Carolina, particularly in the race for Senate, where former Gov ...

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article317278485.html

Sep 20

OpinionTrump came to NC to help Michael Whatley. I think he made things worse. | Opinion

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thedailybeast.com/trump-senate-pick-michael-whatley-busted-lying-about-ties-to-sex-offender/

Sep 30

Trump Senate Pick Busted Hiding Ties to Sex Offender: Republican Michael Whatley’s campaign denied organizing an event with a convicted sex offender.

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charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article317371754.html

Sep 25

Whatley praises NC laws Cooper vetoed on school lessons and transgender athletes: At a Pittsboro event, Michael Whatley accused Roy Cooper of backing transgender ...

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thedailybeast.com/maga-senate-candidate-raises-white-flag-in-must-win-seat

Oct 08

MAGA Senate Candidate Raises White Flag in Must-Win Seat: Republicans are entering crisis mode as states won by the president are now comfortably breaking for ...

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thedailybeast.com/trump-humiliated-as-maga-voters-trash-his-candidate-michael-whatley/

Sep 17

Trump Humiliated as MAGA Voters Trash His Candidate: The Trump bump is officially retired.

12 similar articles

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The Hill

Oct 07

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is backing Republican candidate Michael Whatley for the Senate seat he’s leaving behind — his first public declaration of who he will ... Show more

thehill.com

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Sep 22

President Donald Trump painted a gruesome picture of North Carolina as he worked to get votes to GOP Senate nominee Michael Whatley. READ MORE: Trump claims NC crime among worst in country. His attorney general says otherwise

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Sep 14

The president aims to give a boost to Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley in his hometown. READ MORE: President Donald Trump to visit Gastonia on Wednesday, officials say

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article317325694.html

Sep 21

Vance urges NC Republican voters to turn out in ‘make or break’ midterm races: With NC Senate polls showing a Roy Cooper lead, Vice President JD Vance pitched ...

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Sep 23

Trump and Vance stumped for Michael Whatley. But did it help his campaign? READ MORE: Trump and Vance stumped for Michael Whatley. But did it help his campaign? READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com

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Irish Independent

independent.ie/comment/opinion/ksenia-samotiy-a-democratic-victory-built-on-anyone-but-trump-attitude-may-prove-dangerously-hollow/a/162584751.html

Oct 07

Ksenia Samotiy: A Democratic victory built on ‘anyone but Trump’ attitude ...

Paid articlePaywall

OpinionKsenia Samotiy: A Democratic victory built on ‘anyone but Trump’ attitude may prove dangerously hollow

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article317429578.html

Sep 30

OpinionThom Tillis sure doesn’t seem optimistic about Republicans winning NC | Opinion: In a recent TV appearance, CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Tillis if North Carolina is a ...

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317281568.html

Sep 18

Trump says he was ‘only kidding’ after threatening Helene aid cut for NC: President Trump told Gastonia supporters he might block Hurricane Helene funding if ...

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article317294220.html

Sep 20

OpinionDespite a strong lead, Roy Cooper is urging caution in NC’s Senate race | Opinion

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Sep 20

Trump said he was kidding after threatening to withhold Helene relief if Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley did not win. READ MORE: Trump says he was ‘only kidding’ after threatening Helene aid cut for NC

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317281568.html

Sep 22

Trump says he was ‘only kidding’ after threatening Helene aid cut for NC: President Trump told Gastonia supporters he might block Hurricane Helene funding if ...

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In NC’s Senate race, Republican lies about Cooper hit an appalling new low | Opinion

Sep 04

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Sep 13

The president aims to give a boost to Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley in his hometown. READ MORE: President Donald Trump to visit Gastonia on Wednesday, officials say

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Newsweek

newsweek.com/cooper-flips-trump-margin-with-independents-by-29-points-as-whatley-flops-12498753

Sep 29

Cooper Flips Trump Margin with Independents 29 Points as Whatley Struggles: Roy Cooper held a double-digit lead over Michael Whatley in the latest poll of the ...

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Sep 12

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley speaks at the party’s first midyear convention in Dallas. READ MORE: NC’s Michael Whatley returns to the RNC stage, this time as a candidate

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The Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/23/gops-senate-hopes-north-carolina-not-left-dead-not-looking-good/

Sep 23

GOP appears deeply worried about Senate race in N.C., a once reliable state: Republicans privately say the key battleground for Senate control may be out of ...

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172

Sep 10

NC’s Michael Whatley returns to the RNC stage, this time as a candidate READ MORE: NC’s Michael Whatley returns to the RNC stage, this time as a candidate READ MORE: NC’s Michael Whatley returns to the RNC stage, this time as a candidate

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317241801.html

Sep 21

PHOTOS: President Donald Trump’s rally in Gastonia on Sept. 16, 2026: President Donald Trump gave a speech Wednesday at Gaston County’s airport in support of ...

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HuffPost

huffpost.com/entry/gop-senate-nominees-rally-features-prayer-by-convicted-sex-offender_n_6aa4918be4b09fd4319f693f

Sep 13

GOP Senate Nominee's Rally Features Prayer By Convicted Sex Offender: A North Carolina pastor who led the opening prayer at a recent campaign stop for Republican ...

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Sep 20

President Donald Trump painted a gruesome picture of North Carolina as he worked to get votes to GOP Senate nominee Michael Whatley. READ MORE: Trump claims NC crime among worst in country. His attorney general says otherwise

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317241801.html

Sep 18

PHOTOS: President Donald Trump’s rally in Gastonia on Sept. 16, 2026: President Donald Trump gave a speech Wednesday at Gaston County’s airport in support of ...

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charlotteobserver.com/news/local/know-your-704/article317241175.html

Sep 15

President Trump is coming to Gastonia. How to see him (+ plan for road closures): President Trump will speak at Gastonia Municipal Airport on Sept. 16 ...

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thedailybeast.com/the-end-of-trump-and-americas-main-character-era/

Sep 19

The End of Trump and America’s ‘Main Character’ Era: Perhaps these days portend nothing more than a long-overdue correction, and the world will emerge from our ...

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317180282.html

Sep 14

NC’s Michael Whatley returns to the RNC stage, this time as a candidate: Michael Whatley, from Gastonia, took the RNC stage in Dallas as he campaigns for North ...

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article317187402.html

Sep 10

OpinionAt GOP midterm convention, Michael Whatley doesn’t meet the moment | Opinion: Whatley seems to have no interest in pivoting away from a message that clearly ...

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The New Republic

newrepublic.com/post/215533/donald-trump-north-carolina-hurricane-relief-funds-midterms

Sep 17

Trump Tells North Carolina Hurricane Relief Depends on Midterm Outcome: Donald Trump threatened to withhold FEMA funds unless his chosen candidate wins.

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Salon.com

salon.com/2026/09/21/the-epstein-reckoning-hits-the-campaign-trail-partner/

Sep 21

The Epstein reckoning hits the campaign trail - Salon.com: In key races from Arizona to North Carolina, Democrats are hammering Republicans for their votes on ...

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article317074299.html

Aug 31

OpinionIn NC’s Senate race, Republican lies about Cooper hit an appalling new low | Opinion

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317086926.html

Sep 07

Whatley supporters tie SC homicide to Cooper in misleading NC Senate ad: A Senate Leadership Fund ad links Roy Cooper to Logan Federico’s killing in South ...

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thedailybeast.com/must-win-maga-senate-candidate-michael-whatley-gets-pedo-to-open-rally/

Sep 13

Must-Win MAGA Senate Candidate Gets Pedo to Open Rally: Daimon L. King has been sentenced to prison twice for convictions involving children ...

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The Independent

independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/jd-vance-fart-left-north-carolina-b3054126.html

Sep 22

Awkward moment JD Vance calls opponents ‘fart left’ in speech - then backpedals: ‘So to the fake news, who will accuse me of bad language, I promise I did not ...

Exclusive: Republican group slashes ad spending in NC Senate race

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Semafor

B+

Sep 21

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317044882.html

Aug 28

Fauci advised Roy Cooper to delay NC school opening in 2020. Will it matter now?: A June 2020 Fauci diary notes he urged Gov. Roy Cooper to delay school ...

4 similar articles

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abcnews.com/Politics/live-updates/live-updates-republicans-hold-midterm-convention/

Sep 03

Trump’s strange embrace of data centers gives Michael Whatley a rare opportunity | Opinion READ MORE: Trump’s strange embrace of data centers gives Michael Whatley a rare opportunity | Opinion

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ABC News

B+

Sep 10

Live updates: Democrat Fetterman makes surprise appearance at GOP convention: President Trump will give the keynote address Wednesday evening.

Key FactsFetterman Backs McCormick at Republican Convention

Sep 10, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: huffpost.com

John Fetterman appeared by video at the convention and endorsed his friend, Republican Senator Dave McCormick.

He said that, as a common-sense Democrat, he rejects extremism, socialism, and an anti-American way of life.

Afterward, he reaffirmed that he remains a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with his party.

The two-day convention was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, running from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. Central each day.

I’m a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party — and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on,” said Fetterman.
— Fetterman, in a video message endorsing Dave McCormick at the Republican National Committee midterm convention

37 similar articles

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Straight Arrow Sep 14

Senate candidate Michael Whatley and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz appeared at a Republican rally in New Bern ... Show more

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article316882152.html

Aug 23

OpinionWhatley’s name recognition is finally improving. The polls are not | Opinion: Michael Whatley has improved his name ID, but Roy Cooper’s double-digit lead in ...

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article317198571.html

Sep 14

Fact Check: Where Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper stand on data centers: Where North Carolina’s 2026 U.S. Senate candidates Roy Cooper & Michael Whatley stand on ...

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usnews.com/news/us/articles/2026-09-11/convicted-sex-offender-offered-opening-prayer-at-rally-for-gop-senate-nominee-in-north-carolina

Aug 25

In NC’s key 2026 elections, can Whatley help Republicans get ‘past the wave’? READ MORE: In NC’s key 2026 elections, can Whatley help Republicans get ‘past the wave’? READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com

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U.S. News & World Report

B+

Sep 12

Convicted Sex Offender Offered Opening Prayer at Rally for GOP Senate Nominee in North Carolina

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Aug 17

Michael Whatley stoops to bigotry to resuscitate his Senate campaign | Opinion READ MORE: Michael Whatley stoops to bigotry to resuscitate his Senate campaign | Opinion

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Aug 10

Michael Whatley stoops to bigotry to resuscitate his Senate campaign | Opinion READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com

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Aug 13

Group launches ad campaign urging swing voters to support Michael Whatley READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article317078788.html

Sep 01

OpinionBakery confrontation, Kroger cuts: What Charlotte talked about Aug. 24-30: From the confrontation at Manolo's Bakery to the Cooper-Whatley Senate race ...

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Aug 06

Thom Tillis has some advice for a struggling Michael Whatley | Opinion READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com READ MORE: Thom Tillis has some advice for a struggling Michael Whatley | Opinion

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316857054.html

Aug 19

Group launches ad campaign urging swing voters to support Michael Whatley: AFP Action launched a $5.6 million ad campaign across seven battleground states ...

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The New Republic

newrepublic.com/post/214054/donald-trump-misspells-dumb

Aug 07

Trump, 80, Forgets How to Spell “Dumb”: He said it with his whole chest in the middle of a speech.

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The New Republic

newrepublic.com/post/214526/roy-cooper-whatley-north-carolina-polls

Aug 19

Dems Are Looking Good in North Carolina—or Are They?: In today’s newsletter, read about why Roy Cooper’s polling advantage might not last ...

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Jul 26

Michael Whatley is shunning some media. It’s a risky strategy | Opinion READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com READ MORE: charlotteobserver.com

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The Hill

thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6021249-cooper-leads-nc-senate-poll/

Aug 11

Cooper maintains 7-point lead over Whatley in NC Senate race: Poll: Democrat Roy Cooper has a healthy lead over Republican Michael Whatley in the North Carolina ...

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thedailybeast.com/trump-north-carolina-senate-pick-michael-whatley-skewered-for-hiring-child-sex-offender-harvey-l-west-jr/

Jul 24

Trump Senate Pick Skewered for Hiring Child Sex Offender: North Carolina’s Michael Whatley is taking heat for his connections to Harvey West Jr.

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Mediaite

mediaite.com/politics/fox-news-poll-shows-democrat-has-9-point-lead-in-race-to-replace-retiring-gop-senator-in-north-carolina/

Jul 30

OpinionFox News Poll Shows Democrat Has 9-Point Lead in Race to Replace Retiring GOP Senator in North Carolina

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article316535174.html

Jul 19

OpinionFour years later, it’s NC Republicans pleading for more national party help | Opinion

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article316518982.html

Jul 17

OpinionMichael Whatley: GOP tax cuts have been a breath of fresh air for NC families | Opinion

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charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article316535174.html

Jul 19

OpinionFour years later, it’s NC Republicans pleading for more national party help | Opinion

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charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316448035.html

Jul 15

Whatley’s COVID-era comments on prisons raise more questions in race vs. Cooper: A video surfaced in the 2026 Senate race of a 2020 roundtable and a ...