4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Says he is running for Senate to be an independent voice for North Carolinians and will work with anyone to make things cost less for families.
Says everyday people are being left behind as the cost of groceries, utilities, and health care rise.
Says big corporations and the richest Americans have grabbed wealth at the expense of the middle class.
Says North Carolinians should have access to quality, affordable health care.
Says he is ready to take on insurance companies and utility companies that are making profits while people suffer.
Says Republican policies in Washington are causing higher costs and inflation.
Says he stands by his public-safety record and will continue working to keep communities safe if elected to the Senate.
Says he signed tougher bail laws, tougher gang laws, and laws to protect law enforcement officers while governor.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Served as governor of North Carolina for two terms.
As governor, settled a 2021 lawsuit over COVID-era prison releases, which is described in the sources as resulting in the release of several thousand prisoners.
Was governor during Hurricane Helene and North Carolina’s recovery from the storm.
Accepted the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in North Carolina on March 3, 2026.
Arguments in favor
North Carolina Republicans are resorting to fabrication because they are hard-pressed to find anything negative to say about Cooper’s record on crime.
— Sara Pequeño, USA Today opinion columnist
Cooper is a well-liked former governor, and his campaign has not given opponents much to work with.
— Sara Pequeño, USA Today opinion columnist
Cooper’s campaign has been incredibly successful and he “just doesn’t make mistakes.”
— Chris Cooper, Western Carolina University political science professor
Arguments against
Cooper allowed 3,500 inmates to be released early, and the move was linked by the ad to the killing of Shemar Hayes.
— Senate Leadership Fund PAC ad, as described in USA Today opinion coverage
Cooper mishandled Hurricane Helene recovery.
— Michael Whatley, Republican nominee
Cooper’s public-safety policies as governor were too soft on crime, and he released too many criminals with violent records in the 2021 prison settlement.
— Michael Whatley, Republican nominee
Cooper was responsible for the release of DeCarlos Brown Jr., and “her blood is on Roy Cooper’s hands.”
— Michael Whatley, Republican nominee
Cooper vetoed tax cuts proposed by Republican state lawmakers.
— Michael Whatley, Republican nominee
What we couldn’t verify
The reviewed sources do not provide a detailed, itemized Senate policy agenda beyond cost of living, health care, and public safety themes.
No comprehensive voting record or legislative record was found in the reviewed sources.
The sources reviewed do not include a full, sourced list of campaign endorsements.
The reviewed sources do not establish any Senate votes, since Cooper has not previously served in the Senate.
No published criticism of Cooper outside the prison-release, crime, tax-cut, and Hurricane Helene attacks was found in the sources reviewed.
Advance President Trump’s America First agenda in the U.S. Senate.
Restore law and order and roll back cashless bail.
Support border security and deportation of criminal illegal aliens.
Promote reliable, affordable energy and rein in federal spending.
Defend the 2nd Amendment, protect life, support law enforcement, and oppose ‘woke ideology’ in schools.
Support hurricane recovery and disaster relief for North Carolina.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Served as Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.
Served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee during the 2024 election cycle, at President Trump’s request.
Led the Trump presidential transition’s Energy, Environment, and Agriculture teams after the 2016 election.
Worked with the Trump administration to help deliver disaster relief aid to North Carolina.
Is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina in 2026, according to FEC records.
Arguments in favor
Michael Whatley will be a strong supporter of securing the border and backing Border Patrol agents.
— Paul Perez, president of the National Border Patrol Council
Steve Federico said he supports Michael Whatley because Whatley will best protect children from violent criminals.
— Steve Federico, in a Yahoo/Queen City News interview
Arguments against
Jeff Allen said Michael Whatley is ‘ridiculously out of touch’ and claimed he insists grocery prices, gas prices, and inflation are all down, despite costs being up.
— Jeff Allen, Cooper for North Carolina campaign manager
The Cooper campaign said Michael Whatley is pushing policies that make costs higher for families and is tied to efforts to raise health insurance premiums, increase drug prices, and benefit from higher Big Oil and utility profits.
— Cooper for North Carolina campaign
What we couldn’t verify
No additional published criticism of Michael Whatley was found in the sources reviewed beyond the Cooper campaign attacks quoted above.
The reviewed sources do not provide a detailed, independently documented policy platform beyond Whatley’s campaign issue statements.
Get big money out of politics; overturn Citizens United; end gerrymandering and voter suppression; build a democracy of, by, and for the people.
A Green New Deal for North Carolina centered on renewable energy, good union jobs, and accountability for corporate polluters.
Dismantle systems of oppression by reforming criminal justice, protecting voting rights, and guaranteeing housing and quality education in every zip code.
Pursue peace and diplomacy over endless war; reduce the military budget and reinvest in schools, hospitals, and communities.
Reject corporate PAC money and corporate donations; campaign on 'People, Planet, and Progress.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
FEC records identify Michael Louis Jr. Dublin as the Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina for the 2026 election.
His statement of candidacy was filed June 3, 2026.
His authorized campaign committee reported total receipts of $25,275.63 and total disbursements of $16,990.00 for the period ending June 30, 2026.
FEC records show $20,000 in loans owed by the committee and $10,026.99 in ending cash on hand as of June 30, 2026.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Michael Dublin was found in the sources reviewed.
The sources reviewed did not include independent reporting or third-party evaluation of his campaign beyond basic filing and campaign-website material.
Technical competence and policy grounded in reality, not fear or ideology
The idea that rights do not disappear as technology advances
The view that security and liberty are not opposing forces
The belief that government should be auditable by the people it serves
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
FEC candidate profile lists Shannon Bray as the Libertarian Party candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina for the 2026 election.
The Libertarian Party of North Carolina announced Shannon W. Bray as its U.S. Senate candidate in its 2026 slate of federal, state, and local candidates.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Shannon Bray was found in the sources reviewed.
The sources reviewed do not provide detailed biographical or electoral history beyond his candidate status and campaign self-description.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
North Carolina's official 2026 general-election candidate list for U.S. Senate shows four ballot candidates: Roy Cooper (D), Michael Whatley (R), Michael Dublin (Green), and Shannon W. Bray (Libertarian). I did not find a qualified independent candidate on the official ballot list. The roster is based on the State Board's general candidate list and primary results, not on any later certification of the general election.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A North Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at North Carolina State Board of Elections.