GRAPEVINE, Texas — Michael Whatley, the Republican Senate candidate in North Carolina, is in a crucial race that will be key to helping the GOP keep control of the Senate during the midterm elections. He has the support of President Donald Trump in his campaign. 

But he faces a formidable foe in former two-term Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who is also seeking to replace outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). Cooper has never lost a race in the Tar Heel State, a perennial swing state.