Election 2026: Less than 100 days, with tight races for Congress, state bench

(The Center Square) – Ninety-nine days until Election Day, and 39 days until absentee ballots go in the mail, North Carolina remains steady with two nationally-watched toss-up races for Congress.

The U.S. Senate race between Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley is a toss-up, according to renowned nonpartisan digital platform 270towin and a July 10-11 poll from Public Policy Polling. The 1st Congressional District race of incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis and Republican Laurie Buckhout is also a toss-up at 270towin.

The Cook Political Report, another respected nonpartisan political newsletter, “leans Democrat” for Cooper and “leans Republican” for Buckhout. The National Republican Congressional Committee, in early May, said Buckhout and Davis was a dead heat.

Statewide polls have trended with Cooper...