A significant Republican political action committee has reportedly ceased financial backing for its Senate candidate in North Carolina, Michael Whatley. Multiple reports indicate that the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) has withdrawn its ad spending in the state.
The SLF, which is the campaign arm of Senate majority leader John Thune, is reportedly redirecting its support to other candidates. Semafor initially reported the withdrawal on Friday, with The New York Times, CNN, and other publications confirming the report through sources close to the fund.
The SLF had previously pledged $71 million to secure North Carolina's US Senate seat and had planned to spend an additional $30 million supporting Whatley. However, polling data suggests a challenging political landscape for Republicans aiming to retain control of the Senate.
The Cook Political Report currently rates the North Carolina Senate race as "leans Democratic." Reports indicate the SLF will redirect its North Carolina spending to support Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas. Former governor Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee, has consistently held a polling lead over Whatley, with an AARP poll released on Monday showing Cooper with an 11-point lead.