WRAL | April 15, 2026
“Republican Michael Whatley’s campaign raised $5 million in the first quarter of 2026, his campaign said. Democrat Roy Cooper’s campaign said it more than doubled that haul, with $13.8 million in the first quarter of the year.
In total, Whatley has raised at least $16 million through his campaign and victory committee. Cooper has raised at least $36 million through his campaign and victory committee.
Combined with money their campaigns raised in late 2025 — plus additional fundraising by so-called ‘victory’ committees that both candidates use in coordination with their state and national political parties — the data shows that supporters of the two candidates have already pledged more than $50 million to their campaigns.
Those figures don’t count the money also expected to pour into the race from outside groups that aren’t allowed to coordinate with the candidates’ campaigns, which WRAL reported last week is already approaching the nine-figure mark. The election is still nearly seven months away.”