Favorability ratings are 51% for Cooper and 17% for Whatley, the Emerson poll says. In context, Whatley only had 16% ...

Strategists say Cooper’s entry makes North Carolina a more difficult seat for the GOP to hold, though a Democrat hasn’t won a Senate race in the traditionally competitive state since 2008.

The former governor is six points up in what will be one of the most competitive Senate races in the country next year.

A new Victory Insights poll of the North Carolina Senate election points to a close race between former Governor Roy Cooper ...