Gov. Stein: Trump ties ‘not a positive’ for GOP Senate nominee Whatley
Democratic Governor Josh Stein says Michael Whatley’s Trump loyalty will hurt his Senate campaign as the president’s approval drops to 42% in North Carolina.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Democratic Governor Josh Stein predicted that Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley’s close relationship with President Donald Trump will damage his campaign against former Governor Roy Cooper in November’s general election.
Whatley’s Trump Connection Under Fire
Whatley secured his Republican primary victory by emphasizing his loyalty to Trump and the MAGA movement. However, Stein argued this strategy may backfire in the general election.
“Essentially Whatley’s only justification is, ‘I’ll do whatever the president tells me to do,’ and I don’t think that’s what North Carolinians want. I think they want an independent voice,” Stein said in an interview with Punchbowl News on Thursday.
Trump’s Declining Approval Ratings
Stein pointed to Trump’s deteriorating favorability numbers in North Carolina, which have dropped significantly following the decision to invade Iran and rising gas prices. A Catawba College-YouGov survey conducted last month revealed 42% approval of Trump’s job performance among North Carolina voters compared to 55% disapproval, creating a negative 13 percentage point margin.
“These gas prices, this war of choice without a strategic plan or an exit strategy — people feel it,” Stein said.
Republican Response and Polling Data
North Carolina Republican Party spokesman Matt Mercer defended Trump’s record, noting that voters supported Trump “decisively” in three consecutive presidential elections because his “vision to Make America Great Again” resonated with state residents.
“Gov. Stein appears to be suggesting a long career in elective office is preferable to someone who has been successful in business and lived the American dream,” Mercer said. “If that’s the choice before voters, they will side with the successful outsider over the career politician.”
Polling data suggests Whatley faces an uphill battle against Cooper. The April Catawba poll showed Whatley receiving 34% support compared to Cooper’s 48% among likely voters, trailing by 14 percentage points.
Whatley’s political career has been closely intertwined with Trump’s success. He gained prominence after managing Trump’s first North Carolina campaign and was later selected to co-chair the Republican National Committee during Trump’s presidency.
