North Carolina Senate Race: Tax Policies Under Scrutiny
As the competition for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat heats up, a new advertisement from Republican Michael Whatley has sparked debate by presenting a skewed view of former Governor Roy Cooper’s tax policies. The ad, which is being broadcasted statewide on streaming platforms, alleges that “Cooper backs higher taxes on tips and overtime and even higher taxes on Social Security.” Meanwhile, Whatley promises to “cut taxes and make life more affordable.”
The context of these allegations appears tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), a controversial Republican budget law. The OBBB introduced temporary tax deductions for certain tips and overtime, alongside permanent tax cuts for affluent Americans and significant Medicaid reductions. Cooper opposed this legislation, primarily due to its implications for healthcare funding.
Cooper commented last year, “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 noted that Whatley expressed willingness to support this bill fervently.
The ad’s claims are further complicated by Cooper’s history of advocating for the elimination of taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits on several occasions.
During his tenure as governor, Cooper was instrumental in passing a bipartisan budget in 2021 that reduced taxes for the majority of North Carolinians. Whatley commended Cooper’s decision, describing the bill as “one of the best bills for North Carolina that we’ve ever seen.” Cooper also facilitated a tax cut for the middle class in 2019.
Current polling by Public Policy Survey indicates Cooper holding a slight lead over Whatley, with a four-point advantage. This suggests a narrowing in the race, highlighting its competitive nature.
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