Fight for Key Senate Seat Expected to Unleash Record $1 Billion

The slugfest for North Carolina’s open US Senate seat will be tough, nasty and expensive — costing as much as a record-breaking $1 billion in a marquee match between a popular former Democratic governor and a Donald Trump-backed political operative.

The seat is a must-win for Democrats, who want to leverage Roy Cooper’s statewide support into down-ballot victories in three House races that could ultimately sway control of that chamber. For the GOP, a victory by former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley would preserve its control of the Senate.

Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley

Photographers: Al Drago, Cornell Watson/Bloomberg

A Democrat hasn’t won a Senate seat ...