GASTONIA, N.C. — Republican Michael Whatley and Democrat Roy Cooper cast their ballots Friday as early voting gets underway in North Carolina.
A large crowd formed in Gastonia as Republican Senate candidate Whatley voted early Friday.
Afterwards, he spoke to the crowd about why he’s running for Senate.
“I’ve had the chance to live the American dream right here in North Carolina, to get an education, to get a job, to get married,” Whatley said, “to buy a house, to raise a fantastic family, and to see all three of my kids have the opportunity to live the American dream themselves. That’s why I’m running for Senate because I want every single kid and every single grandkid in North Carolina to have that same opportunity.”
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cooper participated in the first day of early voting in Raleigh.
Mecklenburg County says 17,700 people voted on the first day of early voting.
The Board of Elections also approved nearly 33,000 absentee by mail ballots. Bringing the total for the first day to nearly 21,000 votes cast.
Channel 9’s Candidate Guide for the North Carolina elections is now available. We asked questions to all statewide and general assembly candidates.
Early voting ends on Oct. 31; Election Day is Nov. 3.
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
