Republicans Grow Worried About Senate Races in North Carolina and Georgia

Two Senate races that Republicans once saw as central to protecting their majority are looking increasingly difficult for the party, according to GOP strategists and lawmakers.

In North Carolina, former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley is running against former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper for the seat held by retiring Sen. Thom Tillis. In Georgia, Rep. Mike Collins is challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Both Republicans are trailing in public polling.

Signs of retreat

Old North Action, a Republican super PAC, cut its advertising reservations in North Carolina by roughly a third. The National Republican Senatorial Committee had spent about $7.9 million in coordinated funds in North Carolina and $3.6 million in Georgia through August, far less than the party is putting into other states such as Texas.

Some senior Republicans have been blunt. Veteran strategist Karl Rove said he does not expect the party to win either race, and Texas Sen. John Cornyn questioned whether there is much Whatley can do to turn things around with about 40 days left.

Candidates push back

Whatley said he feels very comfortable that his campaign will have the resources it needs. The Collins campaign has told allies it needs more help, arguing in a memo that about one in ten Georgia voters are still undecided. A fundraiser in Atlanta headlined by Senate Majority Leader John Thune raised more than $400,000.

The stakes are high: Democrats need to flip four seats to win control of the Senate, and North Carolina, a state President Trump carried by about three points in 2024, would count as one of them.

Sources: CNN via KEYT