GOP groups retreat from North Carolina Senate race a month early
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With one month until Election Day, some big GOP spenders are giving up on North Carolina and prioritizing other states.
Why it matters: It's a sign that Republicans believe Michael Whatley can't win and that the seat will flip to Democrats, who need four pickups to regain control of the Senate.
Driving the news: Several key Republican super PACs have canceled October ad campaigns in North Carolina as polls show Whatley several points behind former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
By the numbers: Last month, Republicans spent $53 million on North Carolina's Senate race, while Democrats spent $44 million, the firm AdImpact tracked.
- PACs backing the candidates had reserved ads totaling over $33 million for each candidate in October.
Yes, but: That calculation was made on Thursday.
The latest: On Friday, Senate Leadership Fund said it would redirect money meant for Whatley, Semafor and other national outlets reported.
- It's a major blow for the campaign. Senate Leadership Fund dropped $17 million on North Carolina in September, nearly a third of Whatley's total, according to AdImpact analysis.
- The PAC paid for the misleading ad that tied Cooper to a South Carolina murder suspect's release from prison, The News & Observer reported.
What they're saying: Whatley campaign spokesperson DJ Griffin said they were betting on undecided voters breaking for Republicans.
- "We feel confident we have the resources to highlight Career Politician Roy Cooper's 40 Years of Failures and win in November," Griffin said in an email.
- An unidentified source told Semafor it was Senate Leadership Fund's job to "maintain the majority and this move reflects the most effective and efficient use of resources."
State of play: Neither Prosperity Action nor Old North Action plan to spend in North Carolina in October, Politico reported.
- Money is needed in races in Kansas, Texas and Alaska, a GOP operative told the publication, calling Whatley "a good man who took one for the team."
Between the lines: The reduced spending could affect down-ballot Republicans in North Carolina.
- Several congressional races and North Carolina General Assembly seats are in play.
The bottom line: It's been over a decade since a Democrat represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate, and Republicans are bracing for that to change this election cycle.