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U.S. Senate group halts $71M ads for Whatley

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 2:59 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

SLF Halts Whatley Ads

U.S. Senate Leadership Fund halted ad spending for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley in North Carolina.
The fund had pledged $71 million to keep the seat and planned an additional $30 million for Whatley.
SLF redirected its ad budget to other Senate races after polls showed the Republican Party trailing.
SLF ads linked Democrat Roy Cooper to a 2023 Charlotte attack on Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.
Victim Ronald Hayes said he was swindled, believing his interview would address gun violence, not politics.

Summary

Notre Dame Upsets UNC

Notre Dame defeated North Carolina 37-26 at Kenan Stadium despite rain.
Freshman Jonaz Walton rushed for a season-high 120 yards, leading Notre Dame’s ground attack.
CJ Carr accounted for five touchdowns, throwing four and rushing one.
Jaden Jefferson returned the second-half opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.
Bill Belichick, in his second college season, left UNC with a 2-2 record after the loss.

History

Historical Context

On November 2 2004, Republican Richard Burr won North Carolina’s open Senate seat with about 52% of the vote, beating Democrat Erskine Bowles by a 4% margin. The race followed incumbent John Edwards’s retirement to run for president and become the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, marking the fifth consecutive partisan flip for the seat. It coincided with George W. Bush’s 12.44% presidential win in the state, highlighting the South’s Republican surge.

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SLF Halts Whatley Ads

U.S. Senate Leadership Fund halted ad spending for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley in North Carolina.
The fund had pledged $71 million to keep the seat and planned an additional $30 million for Whatley.
SLF redirected its ad budget to other Senate races after polls showed the Republican Party trailing.
SLF ads linked Democrat Roy Cooper to a 2023 Charlotte attack on Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.
Victim Ronald Hayes said he was swindled, believing his interview would address gun violence, not politics.

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