Whatley campaign has no future TV ads reserved in NC Senate race; says it is only temporary

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The campaign for Republican nominee Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race has no future television advertisements reserved, a report shows.

Read more Chapel Hill explores providing police services to Carrboro, officials say

According to the report released by AdImpact on Wednesday morning, Whatley’s campaign does not have any money reserved for future ads on television.

Whatley’s last television ad was broadcast last Wednesday, Oct. 7, according to the report.

The report shows the campaign for Democratic nominee Roy Cooper has $7.4 million reserved for future ads.

Although Whatley’s campaign has no future reservations, according to the report, outside groups have reserved $4.7 million for future Whatley ads

Outside groups have reserved $11.2 million for Cooper’s future television ads, according to the report.

Read more Several groups send letter to NC attorney general asking for thorough review of WakeMed/Atrium merger

DJ Griffin, Whaley’s campaign spokesperson, stated Whatley’s television ads are only being temporarily paused.

“We’ll be back on the air shortly with our closing message that may or may not ask voters why does our elderly opponent refuse to answer basic questions about his health and ability to serve in the U.S. Senate,” Griffin said in a statement. “But for now, we are better targeting our resources to focus on what NC is famous for — voters who decide late and typically break for Republicans, as frequently noted by candidate Cooper.

“We are confident we have the resources needed to win the only poll that matters — Election Day in November,” he continued in his statement.

Jeff Allen, Cooper’s campaign manager, said in a statement, “A Democrat has not won statewide federal office here in nearly two decades and North Carolina is a 50-50 state. We’re building a campaign to earn every vote and make sure North Carolinians know that Roy Cooper will fight for them, while Michael Whatley will continue to enrich himself at their expense.”

In response to the Whatley campaign’s comments about the Democratic nominee’s health, a Cooper campaign spokesperson said in a statement, “These are more desperate lies from a desperate candidate. Roy Cooper has held over 350 events over the course of this campaign, is in excellent health, and will obviously serve his full term.”

Read more North Carolina high school students launch nationwide financial literacy initiative