Republican Aligned Senate Leadership Fund Announces $71 Million Initial Investment In North Carolina Senate Race
Yesterday, the Senate Leadership Fund announced an initial investment of $71 million to support Michael Whatley’s campaign to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, as the group makes its first ad reservations of this cycle. The Senate Leadership Fund is the main super-PAC supporting Senate Republicans, and this investment is part of groups $342 million initial round of investments across the country. Senate Leadership Fund says an initial investment of $71 million is unprecedented investment at this stage in the race. Many political analysts believe the 2026 North Carolina Senate Race will likely be the most expensive election in American history, and it may surpass $1 billion in total spending.
"A failed governor, Roy Cooper spent eight years releasing violent criminals into North Carolina’s communities, drove up costs for working families, and deserted thousands of victims devastated by Hurricane Helene. By contrast, Michael Whatley is a successful entrepreneur and strong ally of President Trump who always puts North Carolina’s families first. Senate Leadership Fund is proud to support Michael Whatley’s campaign for U.S. Senate and ensure that Roy Cooper is never again allowed to harm the people of North Carolina." — SLF Executive Director Alex Latcham.
SLF says it will use this investment to reach voters through broadcast, cable, streaming and radio advertising, as well as leveraging data, direct mail, text messaging, field, ballot chase, and GOTV activities to win the most competitive Senate races across the country. Beginning in the summer and running through Election Day, SLF’s advertising will expose the extraordinary obstruction and failures of the Democratic Party while highlighting Michael Whatley and Senate Republicans’ plans to keep America safe, strong, and prosperous.
In contrast to the Republican investments, according to Punchbowl News, the Democrats’ main Super-PAC, Senate Majority PAC, only raised $108 million in 2025, with $75.3 million cash on hand. A significant portion of those funds will go toward protecting Democrat incumbents in Georgia and Minnesota.
