---
title: "Democrats Out-Raise GOP in North Carolina Senate"
url: https://www.herecharlotte.com/2026/10/21/nc-congressional-fundraising-cooper-davis-ager-lead/
date: 2026-10-21T08:49:42-04:00
modified: 2026-10-21T08:49:42-04:00
author: "HERE City State Desk"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Charlotte"
attribution: "HERE Charlotte"
---

# Democrats Out-Raise GOP in North Carolina Senate

> RALEIGH, N.C. — With two weeks to go before Election Day, Democrats in North Carolina's three most closely watched federal races hold a clear money advantage, according to third-quarter reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. In the open U.S. Senate race, former Gov. Roy Cooper took in about $4.4 million from July through September,

*Source: [HERE Charlotte](https://www.herecharlotte.com/2026/10/21/nc-congressional-fundraising-cooper-davis-ager-lead/) — October 21, 2026 by HERE City State Desk*

RALEIGH, N.C. — With two weeks to go before Election Day, Democrats in North Carolina’s three most closely watched federal races hold a clear money advantage, according to third-quarter reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

In the open U.S. Senate race, former Gov. Roy Cooper took in about $4.4 million from July through September, spent roughly $20 million and finished the period with about $12.5 million in the bank. Republican Michael Whatley raised about $1.6 million, spent about $4.6 million and had around $916,000 left. Since 2025, Cooper has raised about $47 million to Whatley’s $13 million.

Outside groups spent close to $9.3 million backing Cooper during the quarter and nearly $7.4 million for Whatley, before Republican-aligned committees scaled back in early October.

The money gap shows up in what voters say they know. In the final Elon University Poll before the election, two-thirds of likely voters, 67%, reported knowing a great deal about Cooper, while just 38% said the same of Whatley. Among registered voters, 27% said they had seen more negative ads aimed at Cooper and 18% more aimed at Whatley, while 41% said the attacks seemed about even. The same poll found Cooper ahead 52% to 39% among likely voters.

In the western 11th District, left open when Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards quit the race following a House censure, Democrat Jamie Ager raised $2 million in the quarter and has $1.6 million on hand. Republican state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, picked by the state party in August to replace Edwards on the ballot, raised about $307,000 and has about $295,000 left.

In the eastern 1st District rematch, Democratic Rep. Don Davis raised about $1.3 million to Republican Laurie Buckhout’s roughly $628,000, though the two have similar cash on hand, about $2 million for Davis and $1.9 million for Buckhout. Outside spending there has favored Buckhout, with about $949,000 backing her and about $190,000 supporting Davis.

The general election is Nov. 3, and early voting continues across the state. In the Elon survey, 63% of registered voters said they were absolutely certain to cast a ballot.