The North Carolina primaries have concluded, with former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper winning the Democratic vote and former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley winning the Republican Party's support. The race has been a major focus since the deadly light rail stabbing in 2025. Law enforcement agencies across the Charlotte region have publicly supported Whatley, stating they want a candidate who will support law enforcement and be tough on criminals. Whatley has accused Cooper of being soft on crime, including the release of a suspect accused of killing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska. Cooper's campaign denied these allegations, stating that Whatley had previously supported hundreds of millions in cuts to local law enforcement efforts.