This is the Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Friday November 14, 2025.

According to the Carolina Journal, former Gov. Roy Cooper would beat ANY Republican candidate by 8 to 10 percentage points for the US Senate.

Additionally, the majority – not just the supermajority – would possibly be broken in the state legislator.  Unfavorable views towards how the state and country are going in general would flip local, state, and national seats to the Democrats if the election were held today.

But the election is not being held today. 

Early voting for these elections starts October 15, 2026 with Election Day on November 3 – close to 11 months away.  In terms of politics, that is an eternity.

Republicans have a lot to do.  They need to continue to fix the economy by removing legislative barriers so businesses of all sizes can hire and get to work.  They need to continue to secure the border and deport illegal immigrants – especially those with violent records.  Republicans need to get us to the point of energy independence again – which will stabilize our oil supply and reduce prices. 

Here in North Carolina they need to pass a budget that continues the economic growth of our state.  They need to stand strong on school choice, find more ways to cut taxes, and continue to support law enforcement. 

In other words, Republicans need to continue to be staunchly and unapologetically Republican and get Republican things done – because Republican things are what the vast majority of Americans actually want.  These platforms are not quick fixes – which is always a challenge in today’s culture – but given time – such as the next 11 months - they will work.

Republican candidates for 2026 should not shy away from these principals.  They need to focus on showcasing practical solutions to the challenges we all face and less time attacking their Democrat opponents.  They should spend more time in front of people – especially unaffiliated voters - explaining these ideals because the legacy media definitely will not and good policy cannot be summed up in an Instagram post. 

This latest poll does not sound the death knell of the Republican party.  We must consider that it was done during a government shutdown that was blamed on both parties.  It was also done during an election season in which Republicans had no realistic chance of winning anywhere across the county.  While we should dispute the outcome of the poll – it is one of the most accurate ones around – neither should we forget the context in which was taken.

Republicans can win in this next election.  They just have to be smart about it.

For the Wilmington Standard, I’m Reuel Sample.  Thanks for listening.