Republicans Shift Millions From North Carolina Senate Race to Defend Kansas Seat
Republicans are shifting millions of dollars away from the closely watched North Carolina Senate race and directing additional resources toward Kansas and other states as the party works to protect its Senate majority in the final month before the midterm elections.
The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, is pausing additional advertising in North Carolina after already spending more than $30 million supporting Republican nominee Michael Whatley.
The group had originally planned to spend significantly more in the state. With those future reservations now being canceled, millions of dollars are being freed up for Republican candidates elsewhere on the Senate map.
Kansas has emerged as a major destination for the redirected money. Republican Sen. Roger Marshall is facing a competitive challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton in a state President Trump carried by nearly 16 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
The Senate Leadership Fund has reserved roughly $8.2 million in advertising to support Marshall during the final stretch of the campaign. The amount redirected toward Kansas could ultimately climb to approximately $10 million before Election Day.
Republicans are also increasing their financial commitment in Iowa and Ohio. At least $20 million is being directed toward Iowa, where Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson is running for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst.
Another $14 million is being directed toward Ohio, where Republican Sen. Jon Husted is seeking election to complete the term previously held by Vice President JD Vance. The shifting investments reflect the GOP’s effort to concentrate resources on races party strategists believe are particularly important to maintaining control of the chamber.
The changes represent a setback for Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman who received President Trump’s endorsement in North Carolina. Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has maintained a lead over Whatley in recent polling as the candidates compete for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.
The pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC and the National Republican Senatorial Committee are also ending planned advertising expenditures in North Carolina through Election Day. Whatley’s campaign, however, maintains that it has the resources necessary to continue making its case to voters during the final weeks.
Republicans currently control the Senate 53-47, meaning Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take the majority. With races tightening in several states, both parties are making late changes to their spending strategies as they determine where campaign money could have the greatest impact.
The decision to move substantial resources into Kansas is particularly notable because the state has traditionally favored Republicans in federal elections. Marshall won his first Senate election by more than 11 percentage points in 2020, but this year’s contest has become considerably more competitive than Republicans initially anticipated.
With Election Day scheduled for Nov. 3, the reshuffling shows how quickly the Senate battlefield has changed. Republicans are now directing additional resources toward protecting seats in traditionally favorable territory while attempting to preserve the majority they won in 2024.