Brind.
  1. Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley are involved in an election contest, while criticism regarding Duke Energy's residential rate hikes also emerged.
  2. A convention was held in Dallas on September 9, 2026, involving Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper to contest the North Carolina Senate race.

Michael Whatley is running against former Gov. Roy Cooper for the vacant U.S. Senate seat of Thom Tillis, with President Trump scheduled to visit Gaston County.

16 reports, 10 independent Updated Sep 22
Gone quiet Reached 3 outlets in its first 24 hours
Reports
16
Developments
11
Repetition
50%

New informationRepeats or wire copies

AI-generated analysis. Brind wrote this summary from the reports listed below. It can be wrong. Each section says how much you can rely on it, and the sources are linked so you can check.

What happened

Well supportedReported by 10 independent outlets

Michael Whatley is running against former Gov. Roy Cooper for the vacant U.S. Senate seat of Thom Tillis, with President Trump scheduled to visit Gaston County.

Who's involved

What this event is mainly about
Michael WhatleyRoy CooperDonald Trump

How it developed

Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.
  1. Trump rallied in Gastonia supporting Whatley, who also attacked Cooper over crime issues.1 source
  2. The Senate race between Whatley and Cooper continues with tight campaigning, including rallies and endorsements from JD Vance.1 source
  3. Donald Trump held a rally in North Carolina to support Senate candidate Michael Whatley against Roy Cooper.Sub-event
  4. Trump criticized Cooper; Whatley rallied supporters in Gaston County while Elon poll showed Cooper leading.1 source
  5. Trump leverages political power to back Whatley as Cooper challenges the status quo.1 source
  6. Cooper released prisoners as part of a settlement while Trump backed Whatley and criticized Cooper.1 source
  7. Whatley is currently trailing Cooper in the polls during the Senate race.1 source
  8. The Senate race between Whatley and Cooper continues, with Trump's backing and polling updates.1 source
Show 3 earlier steps
  1. Donald Trump campaigned in Gastonia, promoting community resiliency and education technology initiatives for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.Sub-event
  2. President Trump is campaigning, making a stop in Gastonia, while First Lady Melania Trump promotes education technology.Sub-event
  3. Whatley challenges Cooper for the Tillis seat; Trump visits Gaston County.1 source

Keep exploring

Part of

A convention was held in Dallas on September 9, 2026, involving Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper to contest the North Carolina Senate race.

Also in this story

All 3 developments

Within Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley are involved in an election contest, while criticism regarding Duke Energy's residential rate hikes also emerged.

The entities involved

Related events

Coverage

Newest first; wire copies grouped
6 more outlets ran the same wire story