U.S. Senate · North Carolina

Incumbent: Thom Tillis (Republican) · Incumbent retiring
General election Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026

← All North Carolina races

The candidates

Michael Whatley

Republican

Former chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025).

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: thehill.com

Roy Cooper

Democratic

Former governor of North Carolina (2017–2025).

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: abc11.com

Shannon Bray

Libertarian

Cybersecurity professional and perennial candidate.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: acrobat.adobe.com

Michael Dublin

Green

Teacher and nominee for North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in 2024.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: acrobat.adobe.com

Candidates checked against the official list: state election office source. Candidate list compiled from the Wikipedia race page and the sources on each profile. Check your official sample ballot before voting.

Where they stand: Whatley vs. Cooper

Topic rows are grouped by Vote Book; the headings and quoted words are each candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” means a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote. A yellow tag means no public position was found on that topic.

Health care
WhatleyNo public position foundCooper

Making Health Care Affordable

Health care costs are spiraling out of control for North Carolina families. Insurance companies are blindsiding working people with surprise bills and denied claims and forcing them to pay more for plans that cover less. Meanwhile, attacks on health care coming out of Washington are spiking premium costs and …
Original: roycooper.com/priorities (accessed Oct 16, 2026)
Education
WhatleyNo public position foundCooper

Making Child Care Affordable

Lower the cost of child care for parents and caregivers, both those who work and those who stay at home.
Original: roycooper.com/priorities (accessed Oct 16, 2026)
Energy & environment
WhatleyNo public position foundCooper

Lowering Energy & Utility Costs

Roy Cooper knows that North Carolina families are being squeezed by energy costs that are climbing higher and higher each year. Electricity bills in North Carolina have risen 22 percent since 2020 ( WRAL, February 2026 ) with further increases on the horizon. Roy will work to deliver common-sense solutions that cut …
Original: roycooper.com/priorities (accessed Oct 16, 2026)
Crime & public safety
Whatley

Crime

Frankly, I don't think we need to reimagine law enforcement. I think we need to enforce the law.
Quoted by Wilson Times, Oct 8, 2026
CooperNo public position found
Taxes & spending
Whatley

Economy / taxes

When we talk about the economy, affordability, we're talking about better jobs, more jobs and more take-home pay.
Quoted by Wilson Times, Oct 8, 2026
CooperNo public position found
Housing
WhatleyNo public position foundCooper

Lowering Housing Costs

Stop the bad actors driving up the price of housing for families across the state and make housing cost less for renters and homeowners.
Original: roycooper.com/priorities (accessed Oct 16, 2026)
Jobs, wages & cost of living
Whatley

Economy

I think the economy does absolutely matter. I think Roy Cooper made stuff cost more… that's definitely an issue point we want to talk about.
Quoted by Spectrum News, Oct 13, 2026
Cooper

Lowering the Cost of Food & Groceries

The cost of food and groceries is skyrocketing in North Carolina and across the country. While farmers are getting crushed by tariffs and families are seeing prices rise at grocery stores and restaurants, big corporations and Washington DC insiders are doing all they can to squeeze every penny out of their customers. …
Original: roycooper.com/priorities (accessed Oct 16, 2026)

Cost of living

We have a plan to make stuff cost less and make life better for North Carolinians.
Quoted by Spectrum News, Oct 13, 2026
Other priorities
Whatley

Regulation

When we hear the Democratic plans, it is always higher taxes and more regulations. That is not a solution that is going to create jobs here in North Carolina.
Quoted by Wilson Times, Oct 8, 2026
CooperNo public position found

Other candidates on the ballot

Shannon Bray (Libertarian)

No public position found

Michael Dublin (Green)

No public position found

Know something we’re missing? Tell us: hello@getvotebook.com Inbox pending setup — messages may not be read yet. Please include a link to the source (official site, questionnaire, debate or news report). We add positions only with a source and treat every candidate the same way.

Official voting records

The same nine Senate votes (or three House votes) are shown for every current member of Congress running, so records can be compared across races. Click a roll call for the official tally.

No congressional voting record for: Shannon Bray, Roy Cooper, Michael Dublin, Michael Whatley. State legislative or local records are not yet compiled.