Election 2026: October poll has Cooper up 14 on Whatley

(The Center Square) – Democrat Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley 54%-40% in a High Point University Poll released Wednesday, measuring voters Oct. 1-20 on the election of a U.S. senator from North Carolina.

In the state Supreme Court election, respondents chose Democrat Anita Earls over Republican Sarah Stevens 51%-43%.

The sampling in conjunction with YouGov surveyed 620 likely voters that carries a 95% confidence level.

In questions on approval or disapproval, second-term Republican President Donald Trump was minus-20 – meaning, 57% disapprove and 37% approve of his handling the job. First-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein was plus-18 – meaning, 50% approved and 32% disapproved.

For the country, 62% said the United States was on the wrong track and 31% said it was going in the right direction.

For the state, 48% said North Carolina was on the right track and 30% said it was going in the right direction.

The High Point University Poll, conducted by the university’s Survey Research Center, bills itself as nonpartisan and “The Point of Perspective.” Funding and operation is through the Survey Research Center as an academic public service. Partners, such as YouGov, are a regular part of the samplings.