North Carolina · U.S. Senate · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on public safety?
Roy CooperDemocrat
Michael WhatleyRepublican
Part of the full North Carolina U.S. Senate comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Public Safety
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Roy Cooper
Cites his record as attorney general and governor, saying he signed tougher bail and gang laws; supports federal resources for fighting crime and deporting violent criminals.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Public statementAug. 14, 2026
Has said he stands by his public safety record, citing his 16 years as attorney general and saying that as governor he signed tougher bail laws, tougher gang laws and laws protecting law enforcement officers. 2 sourcesSafety and affordability: Why NC's U.S. Senate candidates keep hitting the same themes (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Aug. 14, 2026 · NewsCooper defends record as Trump, Whatley hammer him on public safety, Helene (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 10, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 10, 2026
Said the Trump administration has strengthened the southern border but criticized its immigration enforcement tactics, and said he supports federal resources for fighting crime and deporting violent criminals. SourceWe asked four candidates for NC's Senate seat what they'd do if they win (opens in a new tab)The News & Observer, via Yahoo News · Oct. 10, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
- Public statementAug. 14, 2026
Has said he stands by his public safety record, citing his 16 years as attorney general and saying that as governor he signed tougher bail laws, tougher gang laws and laws protecting law enforcement officers. 2 sourcesSafety and affordability: Why NC's U.S. Senate candidates keep hitting the same themes (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Aug. 14, 2026 · NewsCooper defends record as Trump, Whatley hammer him on public safety, Helene (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 10, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 10, 2026
Said the Trump administration has strengthened the southern border but criticized its immigration enforcement tactics, and said he supports federal resources for fighting crime and deporting violent criminals. SourceWe asked four candidates for NC's Senate seat what they'd do if they win (opens in a new tab)The News & Observer, via Yahoo News · Oct. 10, 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
Michael Whatley
Proposes a federal version of North Carolina's Iryna's Law and rolling back cashless bail; supports securing the border and deporting immigrants in the country illegally who commit crimes.
Show the evidence (3)Hide the evidence
- Campaign proposalMarch 4, 2026
The day after winning the March 2026 primary, proposed taking North Carolina's Iryna's Law, passed after the Charlotte light-rail killing, to the federal level. SourceLaw enforcement agencies in Charlotte region show support for Michael Whatley for US Senate (opens in a new tab)WBTV · March 4, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalAug. 21, 2026
His campaign website says that as senator he would work with President Trump to "restore law and order" and roll back cashless bail; at an August 2026 event at the Charlotte Fraternal Order of Police lodge, he criticized cashless bail. 2 sourcesMichael Whatley for Senate (opens in a new tab)Whatley for Senate · CampaignRepublican U.S. Senate Michael Whatley slams Democratic Roy Cooper on public safety (opens in a new tab)WFAE · Aug. 21, 2026 · News
- Public statement
His campaign website says he is "100% supportive of President Trump securing the border" and of deporting immigrants in the country illegally who have committed crimes. 2 sourcesIssues – Michael Whatley for Senate (opens in a new tab)Whatley for Senate · CampaignU.S. Senate (North Carolina) (opens in a new tab)WFAE · Oct. 13, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalMarch 4, 2026
The day after winning the March 2026 primary, proposed taking North Carolina's Iryna's Law, passed after the Charlotte light-rail killing, to the federal level. SourceLaw enforcement agencies in Charlotte region show support for Michael Whatley for US Senate (opens in a new tab)WBTV · March 4, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalAug. 21, 2026
His campaign website says that as senator he would work with President Trump to "restore law and order" and roll back cashless bail; at an August 2026 event at the Charlotte Fraternal Order of Police lodge, he criticized cashless bail. 2 sourcesMichael Whatley for Senate (opens in a new tab)Whatley for Senate · CampaignRepublican U.S. Senate Michael Whatley slams Democratic Roy Cooper on public safety (opens in a new tab)WFAE · Aug. 21, 2026 · News
- Public statement
His campaign website says he is "100% supportive of President Trump securing the border" and of deporting immigrants in the country illegally who have committed crimes. 2 sourcesIssues – Michael Whatley for Senate (opens in a new tab)Whatley for Senate · CampaignU.S. Senate (North Carolina) (opens in a new tab)WFAE · Oct. 13, 2026 · News
In their own words
Statements
Roy Cooper
Public safety record
As governor, I signed legislation that made it tougher on gang leaders and tougher on pretrial release, working to keep our communities safe.
Roy Cooper · Remarks to supporters at St. James AME Zion Church in Goldsboro, N.C., reported by WRAL · Sept. 10, 2026
SourceCooper defends record as Trump, Whatley hammer him on public safety, Helene (opens in a new tab)WRAL · Sept. 10, 2026 · News
Michael Whatley
Public safety
As your U.S. Senator, I’ll work with President Trump to restore law and order, roll-back weak Democrat policies like cashless bail, and make North Carolina safe again.
Michael Whatley · Campaign website homepage, under the heading "Make North Carolina Safe Again" (as displayed on Oct. 19, 2026) · 2026
SourceMichael Whatley for Senate (opens in a new tab)Whatley for Senate · Campaign
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