Roy Cooper up by 11 points over Michael Whatley in North Carolina race: Poll
The poll and other recent surveys cited in the article show Cooper leading in the North Carolina Senate race.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe Washington Examiner is an established national outlet, and its site rating indicates a moderately credible record. The article names its author and identifies the polling sources, though the short report offers limited detail about the surveys beyond the AARP poll's sample and margin of error.
- Track record — The site's rating of 67 across 172 stories supports a moderately credible assessment.
- Source type — A national news outlet with an established publication presence.
- Author attribution — The article identifies Brady Knox as its author.
- Transparency — It identifies the AARP poll and reports its sample size, field dates, and margin of error.
The report gives specific topline figures and basic methodology for the AARP poll, and compares its result with three other polls. It provides little information about the polls' methods or sponsors beyond their names and does not include responses from either campaign.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article includes results favorable to both candidates, including Whatley's lead among voters aged 50 and over, and provides several polling comparisons. It does not include candidate or campaign perspectives or much context on the surveys.
- Counterarguments presented — Includes Whatley's advantage among voters aged 50 and over, but no campaign responses.
- Source diversity — Cites several polls, but relies on polling data rather than a range of source perspectives.
- Omitted context — Provides limited methodological detail and little context about the survey organizations.
- Loaded language — Some language characterizes the results as bleak for Republicans.
The article reports polling results in mostly factual language but uses phrases such as “poor sign,” “bleak results,” and “struggled” that frame the results negatively for Republicans. It does not make an explicit partisan argument.
- Language tone — Mostly reportorial, with some negative descriptors for the Republican outlook.
- Framing — Emphasizes Cooper's leads and the possibility that Republicans will redirect resources.
- Source selection — Reports the AARP poll and three other polls, without campaign responses.
An AARP poll found Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley by 11 points among likely North Carolina voters, with other recent polls also showing Cooper ahead. The results add to signs of a competitive Senate race as Republicans weigh their campaign resources.
The AARP poll found that 53% of likely voters said they would definitely or probably vote for Cooper, compared with 42% for Whatley; 5% were uncertain and 1% favored someone else. Among voters aged 50 and over, Whatley led 51% to 45%. The poll surveyed 1,115 likely voters from Sept. 17 to 20 and had a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points.
Other polls cited in the article also showed Cooper ahead, by 8 points in a High Point University poll, 7 points in a Rasmussen poll, and 15 points in a Harper Polling survey. The article says Whatley has struggled with name recognition and reports that Republicans may shift resources away from the race.
Community verdict
12 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Senate candidate trailing in the reported polling
Whatley's version of this story ↗President referenced in connection with North Carolina's presidential voting history
Vice President who campaigned for Whatley
Part of a bigger story
4 OUTLETSAn AARP poll found Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley by 11 points among likely North Carolina voters in the Senate race. Center outlets emphasize Cooper’s polling lead, including his advantage among independents and Republican challenges. Right-leaning outlets connect the lead to the race’s competitiveness and possible shifts in Republican campaign resources.
- ARTICLES
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- OUTLETS
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- AVG CRED
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