2026 elections News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

DRAUGHON DRAWS: President Trump's ballot box bear trap

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Polls show Senator Berger on the ropes

Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

NC elections board addresses staffing changes as officials count ballots

Eight staffers have left the North Carolina State Board of Elections since May, when a new state law shifted control of the board from Democrats to Republicans.

'Grassroots slugfest': A sheriff in a cowboy hat is trying to topple one of NC's most powerful Republicans

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger faces Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page in the GOP primary to represent Senate District 26. It's Berger's first Republican challenger in years.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Another lawsuit challenges NC redistricting, this time using new legal theory of 'retaliation'

GOP lawmakers are violating the First Amendment rights of eastern North Carolina voters, a new lawsuit claims, by eliminating the state's only competitive congressional district. Voters in that district supported Republican President Donald Trump in 2024 but also Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Lawsuit targets new NC congressional map. More challenges could be on the way

The challengers behind an existing anti-gerrymandering lawsuit in North Carolina have won permission from the judge to change their lawsuit so that it now focuses on the newest districts.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Legal challenges against new NC congressional map in the works as Davis considers next move

Social justice groups have vowed legal challenges against the new Republican-drawn map, making allegations of racial gerrymandering in northeastern North Carolina. U.S. Rep. Don Davis indicates he plans to run 'on my third new map.'

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Congressional map shifts rub some Wilson voters the wrong way

Some Wilson-area voters beleive the new voting maps that affect northeastern North Carolina give Republicans an unfair advantage.

Protesters march on NC legislature as House lawmakers advance new congressional districts

The new districts aim to increase the number of Republicans who represent North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives from 10 to 11. It could become law as soon Wednesday.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

What to know about NC Republicans' effort to flip a U.S. House seat through redistricting

North Carolina Republicans are preparing to redraw the state's congressional districts in an effort to help the GOP protect its control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Here's a breakdown of what to expect.

Will Doran and Paul Specht, WRAL News

NC Republican lawmakers release proposed congressional district map

Republican North Carolina lawmakers released newly proposed congressional districts Thursday -- a move that seeks to protect or expand the GOP's control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Republicans release plan to redraw NC congressional map

Republican North Carolina lawmakers released newly proposed congressional districts Thursday -- a move that seeks to protect or expand the GOP's control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

NC lawmakers unveil proposed congressional map in effort to maintain GOP control

Republican North Carolina lawmakers released newly proposed congressional districts Thursday -- a move that seeks to protect or expand the GOP's control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Voting rights advocates prep for federal trial over NC 'election integrity' law

A new North Carolina voting law heads to trial ahead of the 2026 elections. Republicans say it's about election integrity. Critics say it'll throw legitimate ballots in the trash.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Cooper, Whatley each report raising millions for US Senate campaigns to replace Tillis

Democrat Roy Cooper broke fundraising records for this point in a US Senate race, his campaign claimed, while Republican Michael Whatley also reported his own campaign finance numbers.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Berger threatens to redraw congressional districts, but denies talking to Trump about it

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger says he hasn't spoken with President Donald Trump about redrawing the state's congressional districts to help Republicans keep control of the U.S. House. He also denied asking Trump for an endorsement.

Brian Murphy, Paul Specht and Jack Hagel, WRAL News

Roy Cooper hosts roundtable on health care

Former Gov. Roy Cooper is raising concerns about the state economy as Republicans in Washington slash health spending and Republicans in Raleigh show no immediate interest in replacing the funding.

2026 Senate race: Roy Cooper criticizes 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' health care costs in Raleigh speech

Former Gov. Roy Cooper is raising concerns about impending health care cuts and their effect on the state economy, as Republicans in Washington slash health spending and Republicans in Raleigh show no immediate interest in replacing the funding.

Cooper, seeking NC's open U.S. Senate seat, tackles health care cuts in Raleigh speech

Former Gov. Roy Cooper is considered the Democratic front-runner in the race for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate speech. He's expected to take on Republican Michael Whatley in the 2026 general election.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Ocasio-Cortez's Raleigh visit postponed

The progressive New York congresswoman, best known by her initials AOC, has been touring the country with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders rallying against 'oligarchy' and wealth inequality.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

How a North Carolina stabbing sparked a political firestorm, and why everyone from Trump to the state auditor is weighing in

A deadly stabbing on Charlotte's light-rail system has sparked intense political debate across all levels of government from Charlotte to Raleigh to Washington and beyond. Here's why everyone from the president to the state auditor are weighing in.

WRAL News staff and wire reports

GOP Senate candidate Whatley: 'We don't need separation of church and state'

Michael Whatley and the American Renewal Project say more people of strong faith are needed in public office. Critics say the group promotes Christian nationalism and is dangerous for democracy.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

GOP candidate for US Senate Michael Whatley speaks at faith conference

A group rallied Monday outside the Crabtree Marriott. The group argues that an event there promotes Christian nationalism. The American Renewal Project's event was focused on encouraging Christian faith leaders to run for office. Politicians were there to speak to the crowd, including Michael Whatley, who is seeking the Republican nomination to fill Thom Tillis' U.S. Senate seat.

Fact check: Trump said the US is the 'only country' that uses mail-in voting

"We are now the only Country in the World that uses Mail-In Voting," President Donald Trump wrote in an Aug. 18 Truth Social post.

Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporter

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley enters 2026 US Senate race

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, the longtime ally of President Donald Trump and former leader of the state GOP, launched a campaign Thursday to seek his party's nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by North Carolina Republican Thom Tillis.