{"id":31,"date":"2026-05-11T20:38:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=31"},"modified":"2026-05-11T20:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:38:38","slug":"stein-whatleys-ties-to-trump-not-a-positive-in-north-carolinas-upcoming-us-senate-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=31","title":{"rendered":"Stein: Whatley\u2019s ties to Trump \u2018not a positive\u2019 in North Carolina\u2019s upcoming US Senate election"},"content":{"rendered":"
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North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein predicted that Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley\u2019s close ties to President Donald Trump will hurt Whatley\u2019s campaign this November.<\/p>\n

Read more Trump so far failing in quest for power over elections as midterms approach<\/a><\/p>\n

Whatley, who\u2019s facing Democratic nominee former Gov. Roy Cooper in the general election, won his primary by touting his close relationship with the sitting president and professing his loyalty to the MAGA movement.<\/p>\n

\u201cEssentially Whatley\u2019s only justification is, \u2018I\u2019ll do whatever the president tells me to do,\u2019 and I don\u2019t think that\u2019s what North Carolinians want. I think they want an independent voice,\u201d Stein said in an interview with Punchbowl News on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Stein pointed to Trump\u2019s favorability ratings in the state, which have fallen substantially after the decision to invade Iran and as gas prices have risen significantly. A Catawba College-YouGov survey last month found 42% approval of Trump\u2019s job performance among North Carolina voters against 55% disapproval, for a margin of -13 percentage points.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese gas prices, this war of choice without a strategic plan or an exit strategy \u2014 people feel it,\u201d Stein said.<\/p>\n

North Carolina Republican Party spokesman Matt Mercer said voters in the state voted \u201cdecisively\u201d for Trump in three straight presidential elections because his \u201cvision to Make America Great Again\u201d resonated with North Carolinians.<\/p>\n

\u201cGov. 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,\u201d Mercer said. \u201cIf that\u2019s the choice before voters, they will side with the successful outsider over the career politician.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Law-and-order Senate nominee Michael Whatley faced arrest for skipping court in 2015 NC traffic case<\/p>\n

Read more As Trump looks to punish foes, Democratic states find ways to push back<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n