North Carolina U.S. Senate Voter Guide: Cooper, Whatley, Bray and Dublin on the Economy and Health Care
Four candidates are on the ballot for U.S. Senate in North Carolina on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026: Democrat Roy Cooper, Republican Michael Whatley, Libertarian Shannon Bray and Green Party candidate Michael Dublin.
The seat is open because Republican Sen. Thom Tillis decided not to seek a third term. The Digital Free Press voter guide video compares the four candidates side by side on the economy and health care. Here is where each one stands, based on the video and the candidates' own statements.
Roy Cooper (Democrat)
Cooper served two terms as North Carolina's governor and four terms as attorney general, according to NC Newsline.
On the economy, the video says Cooper wants to make groceries, health care, housing and energy cost less. His campaign is built around the slogan "make stuff cost less," and he says he will lower the cost of groceries, health care, housing and energy, NC Newsline reported.
On health care, the video says Cooper wants to reverse cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid and cap drug costs. He also wants hospitals to put patient care first and supports capping annual out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs, according to NC Newsline.
Michael Whatley (Republican)
On the economy, the video says Whatley wants fiscal responsibility, good jobs and energy independence. "By practicing fiscal responsibility and unleashing American energy, we can empower American workers, create good-paying jobs, achieve energy independence, and build lasting prosperity for every American," his campaign site says.
On health care, the video says Whatley backed the One Big Beautiful Bill, which cuts Medicaid funding. NC Newsline reported that he supported the Trump-backed law, which included nearly $50 billion in Medicaid funding cuts for North Carolina over the next decade. His campaign issues page does not list a separate health care plan.
Shannon Bray (Libertarian)
Bray is a Navy veteran and cybersecurity professional who says he wants to modernize government without sacrificing individual liberty, according to NC Newsline.
On the economy, the video says Bray wants lower costs and simpler taxes. According to his campaign website, he supports lower costs and simpler taxes and wants to fight inflation and hidden taxation, NC Newsline reported.
On health care, the video says Bray wants more choices and price transparency. He supports more choices, transparency and patient-first solutions, according to NC Newsline.
Michael Dublin (Green)
Dublin is a retired public school teacher and veteran who has led a prison ministry, NC Newsline reported.
On the economy, the video says Dublin wants a $25 minimum wage and a 32-hour work week. He supports taxing the wealthy, a $25 federal minimum wage, a 32-hour work week with no loss in pay or benefits, and a guaranteed income of $4,000 a month for people who are unemployed, disabled or elderly and for stay-at-home parents, according to NC Newsline.
On health care, the video says Dublin wants free health care for all. He supports free, high-quality health care for all and opposes cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, NC Newsline reported.
Where to Follow the Candidates
Roy Cooper: @RoyCooperNC on X and @roycoopernc on TikTok. Michael Whatley: @WhatleyNC on X. Shannon Bray: @ShannonBrayNC on X. Michael Dublin: @Dub4Congress on X and @dublin4ncgp on Instagram.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. This guide is for information only; The Digital Free Press does not endorse any candidate.
Yossi Schmidt, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Digital Free Press
Hold Everyone Accountable.
Sources: NC Newsline, Voter Guide, U.S. Senate: https://ncnewsline.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-general-u-s-senate/ ; Michael Whatley campaign, Issues: https://www.michaelwhatley.com/issues ; Roy Cooper campaign: https://roycooper.com/ ; WLOS, "Know your candidate: Michael Dublin for US Senate": https://wlos.com/news/election/north-carolina-senate-michael-dublin-green-party-2026-candidate-questions-helene
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