North Carolina Senate Race Highlights Dispute Over Hurricane Helene Aid
The debate over federal assistance for Hurricane Helene recovery has taken center stage in the North Carolina Senate race. Democratic candidate Roy Cooper is criticizing his opponent, Republican Michael Whatley, for failing to advocate for more disaster relief funds from Washington.
During a campaign stop in Asheville on Friday, Cooper argued that the western part of North Carolina is in dire need of federal support. Despite the White House’s recent request for nearly $88 billion for various priorities, Hurricane Helene aid was not included, sparking controversy.
Cooper questioned Why Whatley, a member of President Trump’s FEMA Review Council, has not pushed for more funding. “To have a supplemental appropriations bill proposed by this administration with zero money for Hurricane Helene? That’s awful,” Cooper stated. He expressed concern that Whatley has not convinced the administration to prioritize Helene recovery.
Though Whatley’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment, his website highlights his role on the FEMA Review Council, stating he has worked to improve disaster responses beyond those seen under the Biden administration and Cooper’s handling of Hurricane Helene. The website claims, “So far, I have worked with the Trump administration to deliver more aid for Hurricane Helene recovery than any other recovery project in the history of North Carolina.”
In contrast, Cooper praised Republican Senator Ted Budd for his commitment to oppose any supplemental funding bills lacking Helene recovery money. “I was glad to see Senator Budd and others step up to say, ‘We’ve got to have this funding here,’” Cooper remarked, highlighting the urgency of securing funds before opportunities diminish.
The current federal aid covers only about 15% of the estimated $60 billion in damages from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Governor Josh Stein recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for an additional $10 billion in recovery funds.
According to a Catawba College-YouGov survey, Cooper leads Whatley by 14 percentage points among likely voters. This Senate seat could be pivotal in determining control of the U.S. Senate in the upcoming election.
Aside from disaster relief, Cooper’s tour, titled the “Make Stuff Cost Less” tour, focused on economic issues, highlighting Whatley’s close ties to Trump. Cooper criticized Whatley for suggesting that inflation has been defeated, stating, “Come on! We know we haven’t defeated inflation.”
The same survey shows that 54% of likely voters in North Carolina, including 67% of independents, disapprove of President Trump’s job performance, adding another layer of complexity to the race.
Holly McBride, a Weaverville resident, attended Cooper’s event and shared her concerns about the political climate. Now working as a Democratic field coordinator, McBride emphasized the importance of addressing key issues like cost of living and corruption in Washington, which she described as “on steroids.”
