President Donald Trump campaigned for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley and two House candidates in North Carolina on Tuesday, as early voting continued before elections that will decide control of Congress.
At a rally in Greenville, Trump urged voters to support Whatley, The Associated Press reported. He also backed Republican House candidates Laurie Buckhout and Jennifer Balkcom, saying he expected their races to be close.
Buckhout is challenging Democratic Rep. Don Davis, who narrowly defeated her in 2024, according to AP. Balkcom faces Democrat Jamie Ager.
Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman, faces former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper for the seat held by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who is not seeking reelection. Republicans hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, while Democrats need four net Senate gains.
Semafor reported Oct. 2 that the Senate Leadership Fund, which backs Republican Senate candidates, had put further North Carolina ad spending on hold after spending more than $30 million in the state.
It shifted resources toward a Kansas Senate race. In April, the group had laid out a $71 million plan to back Whatley.
Trump said he planned to return to North Carolina before Election Day, AP reported. The North Carolina State Board of Elections says in-person early voting ends at 3 p.m. ET Oct. 31. Voters will elect one U.S. senator and 14 House members on Nov. 3.
