Senate races in North and South Carolina heat up as incumbents face tighter contests
In North Carolina, former governor Roy Cooper is running for the seat of retiring Senator Thom Tillis, while in South Carolina Republican Darline Graham confronts a strong challenge from Democrat Annie Andrews.
North Carolina’s Senate seat, open after Republican Thom Tillis announced retirement, is being contested by former governor Roy Cooper, who argues that flipping the seat could shift control of the Senate. His Republican challenger is former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who expects a very close race. Meanwhile, South Carolina, which has not elected a Democratic senator since 1998, sees appointed Republican incumbent Darline Graham battling Democrat Annie Andrews in a tighter-than-expected race.
Early voting started last week in North Carolina and this week in South Carolina, with campaign efforts ramping up in eastern North Carolina and Charleston. Photojournalist Bill Clark documented the trail, and the report includes contributions from Daniela Altimari.
Why it matters
These races could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate, affecting national legislation and checks and balances.
How this story developed
- Sep 24 Collins holds narrow lead over Jackson in latest Maine Senate poll
- Sep 24 Donald Trump's net approval rating fell to minus 22.4 in Nate Silver’s tracker, the lowest point of any president at this stage since 1945.
- Oct 2 The Georgia Senate debate turned sharply personal as Ossoff pledged to repeal Trump-era tariffs and accused Collins of siding with the president. Collins defended the tax cuts tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and blamed the Inflation Reduction Act for inflation. Both candidates clashed over data-center subsidies, with Ossoff linking Collins to a billionaire donor and Collins returning the charge. The discussion also covered the ongoing conflict with Iran and a recent immigration raid at a Hyundai plant, while each candidate faced accusations of extremist associations.
- Oct 6 The first debate between Collins and Jackson is scheduled for Oct. 6.
- Oct 7 The first debate was held, with both candidates trading barbs and no clear winner emerging.
- Oct 9 A debate between Graham and Andrews is scheduled for October 11.
- Oct 11 President Trump announced a seven‑state rally tour starting on Oct. 1 ahead of the midterm elections.
- Oct 12 Collins publicly accused Ossoff of using Georgia to launch a 2028 presidential bid.
- Oct 14 Former President Barack Obama released a video endorsement for Troy Jackson.
- Oct 17 The candidates held their first televised debate.
In this story
Related stories
49 in this thread