U.S. President Donald Trump greets supporters before speaking at a campaign rally with North Carolina Republican Senate candidate, former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley at Gastonia Municipal Airport on September 16, 2026. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
By Trevon Spencer
President Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally Tuesday in Greenville, following an appearance Monday by Vice President JD Vance at the other end of the state in Hendersonville. They’re aiming to increase Republican voter turnout in two key Congressional races and North Carolina’s Senate contest.
The high-profile visits come at a challenging time for North Carolina Republicans. Democrats are out to a stronger-than-usual lead in early voting, while Republicans are trailing their 2022 numbers.
When it comes to fundraising for North Carolina's U.S. Senate race, former RNC and NCGOP Chair Michael Whatley (left) is far behind his Democratic rival, former Gov. Roy Cooper. (Photos by Brandon Kingdollar and Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline)
By Christine Zhu
Democrats in North Carolina’s most competitive congressional races are significantly ahead of their Republican opponents in fundraising, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Former Gov. Roy Cooper reported bringing in more funding and has more cash on hand than his GOP rival. The same is true for U.S. Rep. Don Davis and Jamie Ager in their U.S. House races. Democrats have poured money into the campaigns, seeing them as critical to the control of Congress.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks at a campaign rally at Hyder Warehouse on October 19, 2026 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. (Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
By Christine Zhu
Vice President JD Vance promised $858 million in additional disaster relief funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation during a campaign stop in Hendersonville, North Carolina on Monday.
Vance’s event is part of the White House’s push to encourage GOP turnout this election cycle in what polls show is a challenging political environment for Republicans. President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Greenville, N.C. on Tuesday.
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