Compare candidates running in this North Carolina federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.
Party: Independent
Party: Libertarian
Party: Green
Party: Republican
Party: Democrat
North Carolina is a must-win for Democrats to have any realistic path to regaining the Senate majority. With Republicans currently holding a 53-47 advantage, this open seat represents a critical battleground that will significantly influence overall chamber control.
Shaunesi Deberry is an independent candidate and consultant running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina. Born in Durham, North Carolina, she earned a high school diploma from Hillside High School and completed a bachelor's degree from University of Phoenix in 2024. She works as a consultant. According to WRAL reporting, her initial FEC filing listed her as living in Maryland rather than North Carolina, which would make her ineligible to run in the state unless she relocates. Limited public information is available about her campaign platform or background beyond the basic biographical data.
Shannon Bray is a Libertarian Party candidate and cybersecurity specialist who is running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina for the third time (previously ran in 2020 and 2022). Born June 14, 1988 in Marrero, Louisiana, he holds advanced degrees in cybersecurity and computer science. Bray has worked in information technology, software development, information security, and management roles. He is associated with U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and Navy League. In 2020, Bray received 3% of the vote and approximately 168,000 votes despite spending only $400 on his campaign—a performance that exceeded the total vote margin between the Republican and Democratic candidates (97,000 votes). He is running on a Libertarian platform emphasizing individual liberty, limited government, government transparency, and policy grounded in reality.
Brian McGinnis is a Marine Corps veteran, firefighter, and Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate. Born around 1982 in Quincy, Illinois, he serves as a firefighter in Raleigh, North Carolina and moved to the state after his military service. McGinnis served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps (2000-2004), including deployment to Iraq as a Light Armored Vehicle Crewman during Operation Iraqi Freedom (February-June 2003). He is married to Hamadee Ali, a Palestinian woman, with whom he has four children. McGinnis has become notably active in anti-war activism, pro-Palestine advocacy, and left-wing political organizing. He is running on a platform opposing corporate influence, supporting working-class people, and advocating for peace.
Michael Whatley is the former Chairman of the Republican National Committee (2024-2025) and former Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party (2019-2024). A Western North Carolina native from Blowing Rock, Whatley has never held elected office but has been a prominent figure in Republican politics for decades. He served in the George W. Bush administration at the Department of Energy, was Chief of Staff to Senator Elizabeth Dole, worked as a lobbying executive for energy and oil/gas firms, and helped lead Trump's 2016 transition team. Whatley secured Trump's early and strong endorsement and RNC backing before entering the race. He is positioning himself as a 'Trump ally' and 'America First' candidate, though he remains relatively unknown to many North Carolina voters outside political circles.
Roy Cooper is the former Governor of North Carolina (2017-2025) and former Attorney General (2001-2017). Born and raised in Nash County, he comes from a family with deep public service roots—his mother was a public school teacher. Cooper served in the North Carolina House (1987-1991) and Senate (1991-2001) before becoming Attorney General, the longest-serving in state history at 16 years. He has never lost a statewide race and maintains high approval ratings even in a Republican-leaning state. As Governor, Cooper won re-election in 2020 by 4.5 points despite Trump carrying the state, demonstrating his ability to appeal to moderate and independent voters.
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Whatley is a 'D.C. insider and big oil lobbyist' who backs policies 'ripping health care from 650,000 North Carolinians'
Cooper campaign highlights Whatley's lobbying background and support for Medicaid cuts in GOP budget proposals
Whatley supported Medicaid cuts while accepting donations from healthcare fraud defendants
Documented FEC records showing donors with fraud allegations; Whatley defended cuts as 'fraud prevention'
'Republicans are stuck with Whatley after Senator Tillis retired rather than run on the GOP's toxic agenda'
DSCC positions race as referendum on Trump policies, not local issues
Whatley is 'a longtime lobbyist who will be a rubber stamp for anything the president wants to do'
Democrats argue Whatley lacks independence and will simply implement Trump directives in Senate
'Roy Cooper chose criminal illegal aliens over North Carolina communities'
Reference to Cooper's veto of immigration cooperation legislation and critics linking his criminal justice approach to violent crimes
Cooper is 'soft on crime' and responsible for high crime rates
Whatley campaign ads tie Cooper to fatal 2025 light-rail stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska by criminal suspect Decarlos Brown Jr., who had served prison time
Cooper botched hurricane responses and disaster management
GOP attacks reference slow response to Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2018); Whatley touts his Hurricane Helene recovery role as contrast
Cooper represents 'failed policies of the left' and Washington Democratic extremism
Whatley frames race as choice between Trump ally and Democratic leftist; campaign materials connect Cooper to national Democratic positions
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