Senate Leadership Fund announced Friday that it will redirect funds previously allocated for Michael Whatley's campaign in North Carolina, a move that signals a retreat by major Republican donors with one month remaining until Election Day. This decision follows polling data indicating Whatley trails former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper by several points, leading key super PACs to prioritize other states where they believe their resources can be more effective.
The shift in strategy comes after a significant September spending surge, during which Republicans poured $53 million into the North Carolina Senate race compared to $44 million from Democrats, according to tracking firm AdImpact. Prior to this week's announcements, PACs supporting both candidates had reserved over $33 million in advertisements for October. The redirection of funds represents a substantial blow to Whatley's campaign, as Senate Leadership Fund alone had spent $17 million in the state during September, accounting for nearly a third of his total reported expenditures.
Other major Republican groups are also pulling back. Politico reported that neither Prosperity Action nor Old North Action plans to spend money in North Carolina in October. A GOP operative told the publication that funds are needed for races in Kansas, Texas, and Alaska, describing Whatley as a good man who took one for the team. The decision by these groups suggests a growing consensus among party leadership that the seat is likely to flip to the Democrats, who require four pickups to regain control of the Senate.
The Whatley campaign maintains confidence in its path to victory despite the withdrawal of support. Spokesperson DJ Griffin stated in an email that the campaign is betting on undecided voters breaking for Republicans. Griffin asserted that the team feels confident they have the resources to highlight what he called Roy Cooper's 40 years of failures and win in November. An unidentified source told Semafor that Senate Leadership Fund's move reflects the most effective and efficient use of resources to maintain the majority.
The reduced advertising presence could have broader implications for down-ballot Republican candidates in the state, as several congressional races and North Carolina General Assembly seats remain competitive. The News & Observer previously reported that Senate Leadership Fund paid for an advertisement tying Cooper to the release of a South Carolina murder suspect from prison. With Democrats having not represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate for over a decade, Republicans are now bracing for a potential change in the state's Senate representation this election cycle.