Whatley’s Ad Misrepresents Cooper’s Tax Record Amid Senate Race

Whatley’s Ad Challenges Cooper’s Tax Stance in Heated Senate Race

A recent advertisement from Republican candidate Michael Whatley has sparked debate over former Governor Roy Cooper’s tax policies as both vie for the open U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. The economy and cost-of-living concerns are anticipated to play a significant role in the upcoming election.

The ad, airing across streaming platforms statewide, alleges, “Cooper backs higher taxes on tips and overtime and even higher taxes on Social Security,” while contrastingly pledging that Whatley will “cut taxes and make life more affordable.”

Analysis suggests that these charges are connected to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), a Republican-backed budget law that introduced temporary tax deductions for some tips and overtime but offered permanent tax cuts for wealthy individuals and substantial reductions to Medicaid. Cooper opposed the legislation, particularly criticizing its impact on healthcare funding.

Cooper expressed his concerns last year stating, “Groceries are higher, utilities are higher, rent is higher, childcare is higher and harder to find, and now we’re seeing the cost of health care significantly increase, or even be eliminated, by the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ that just passed.” He further noted, “My opponent, Michael Whatley, says that he would have voted for the Big, Beautiful Bill in a heartbeat.”

Despite the claims in Whatley’s ad, Cooper has publicly endorsed the elimination of taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits on several occasions.

During his governorship, Cooper implemented a bipartisan budget in 2021 that resulted in tax cuts for the majority of North Carolina residents. Whatley commended Cooper’s action, describing it as “one of the best bills for North Carolina that we’ve ever seen.”

In 2019, Cooper also signed into law a previous tax reduction benefiting the middle class.

Recent polling by Public Policy Survey indicates that Cooper holds a four-point advantage over Whatley in the Senate race. The survey suggests that the race may be narrowing, showing a closer competition compared to earlier polls.