GOP Senate Races Tighten
Trump-Tied Republican Senate Candidates Trail Democratic Opponents in Two Crucial States
Anonymous
Republican Senate candidates Michael Whatley in North Carolina and Mike Collins in Georgia face a challenge: their close ties to President Donald Trump may limit their ability to respond to voters’ concerns about the cost of living, even as they trail their Democratic opponents in some polls. A YouGov poll cited in one report showed Roy Cooper leading Whatley by 11 points and Jon Ossoff leading Collins by 10, while another account noted a High Point University poll put North Carolina’s race within the margin of error. Republican groups have committed substantial advertising resources in North Carolina, and party leaders continue to back Collins, but some operatives question whether the candidates’ messaging is working. The races are central to Republicans’ efforts to retain Senate control, while Democratic opportunities have grown amid concerns about affordability, Trump’s approval ratings and the Iran war.
Key Points
1
In North Carolina, Whatley is seeking the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Republican groups had reserved more than $50 million for advertising during the final eight weeks of the campaign, and the GOP campaign has focused attacks on Cooper’s crime record.
2
Whatley said his campaign expected to have the resources it needed through the final weeks, while some Republican operatives questioned whether its messaging was having the desired effect.
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Collins won the Republican nomination after a contentious primary; Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declined to run for the seat amid differences with Trump. Collins’ campaign has argued that undecided voters and additional spending could still affect the contest.
4
Democrats would need to gain four Senate seats to secure a majority, according to Bloomberg’s account of the party’s path to control.
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