An Update from the Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service
President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have turned negative in North Carolina, according to a new Catawba-YouGov Survey.
While 45 percent of North Carolinians approve of the president, 54 percent disapprove — the highest negative rating across three Catawba-YouGov surveys conducted so far in his second term.
“In March 2025, President Trump’s approval and disapproval were nearly even at 49 percent to 47 percent,” said Dr. Michael Bitzer, director of the Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service. “By June, Trump’s approval was 46 percent while disapproval rose to 50 percent, before climbing further in August to 54 percent.”
Notably, 60 percent of self-identified independents disapprove of the president, while he maintains strong support among Republicans at 87 percent approval. Only nine (9) percent of Democrats approve of the president.
The survey was funded by Catawba College’s Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service and conducted by YouGov from August 11–18, 2025. A total of 1,194 North Carolinians were interviewed and then matched down to a weighted representative sample of 1,000 adults. The poll carries a margin of error of +/- 3.86 percentage points, with larger margins among subgroups. All results should be interpreted as informative rather than determinative.
COOPER MAINTAINS HIGH APPROVAL, WHATLEY LESS KNOWN STATEWIDE
In what is expected to be a highly competitive U.S. Senate election next year, Democratic candidate and former Governor Roy Cooper holds a strong statewide standing, with 55 percent approval, 38 percent disapproval, and just 6 percent of respondents unfamiliar with him.
Cooper earns 30 percent approval among Republicans, 54 percent among independents, and 85 percent among Democrats. He draws support across racial and ethnic groups, with three-quarters of Black respondents and a majority of Hispanic/Latino respondents approving.
Cooper’s numbers are comparable to June 2025 survey findings, where he had an overall 52 percent approval to 33 percent disapproval rating among North Carolinians. Since June’s survey, Cooper has improved among his own party, up from 78 percent among Democrats. He has generally held with both independents (57 percent approval in June) and Republicans (28 percent approval).
With Senator Thom Tillis not seeking re-election, former North Carolina Republican Party chair Michael Whatley is seen as the conventional frontrunner for the GOP nomination, due to President Trump’s endorsement. He begins the race with 30 percent approval, 35 percent disapproval, and 35 percent of voters reporting they have not heard of him.
Among Republicans, 62 percent approve of Whatley, though nearly one-third say they are unfamiliar with him. A similar share of conservatives also reports no recognition of the GOP front-runner.
“It’s not surprising that Cooper has high approval ratings, while Whatley remains better known among Republicans than independents,” Bitzer said. “One important trend to watch into 2026 is whether Cooper continues to draw a small but notable share of approval from Trump voters. Nearly three in ten who supported Trump in 2024 now say they approve of Cooper. His history of success in Trump-leaning electorates makes this an important dynamic for the months ahead.”
GOVERNOR JOSH STEIN CONTINUES STRONG APPROVAL
Democratic Governor Josh Stein also receives broad support from North Carolinians, with 58 percent approval and 30 percent disapproval.
Stein garners approval from 43 percent of Republicans, 58 percent of independents, and 79 percent of Democrats. He is also well-regarded across geographic groups: 62 percent approval in urban counties outside major cities, 60 percent in surrounding suburban counties, and 56 percent in both central cities and rural areas.
Like Cooper, Stein continues to draw crossover support: 41 percent of Trump 2024 voters approve of his performance. Among non-voters in the 2024 presidential election, a plurality (47 percent) approve compared to 22 percent who disapprove.
Stein’s approval has remained relatively steady across three Catawba-YouGov surveys this year: 56 percent in March, 53 percent in June, and rebounding to 58 percent in August. However, his disapproval has risen, from 21 percent in March to 30 percent in August.
NORTH CAROLINA’S U.S. SENATORS RECEIVE MIXED RATINGS
With his decision not to seek re-election in 2026, Republican Senator Thom Tillis remains underwater in approval. Nearly half of North Carolinians (49 percent) disapprove of him, while 39 percent approve. Both ratings are up from June, when he stood at 34 percent approval and 44 percent disapproval.
Among Republicans, 59 percent approve of Tillis, though one-third disapprove. Conservatives are similarly split, with 52 percent approval and 40 percent disapproval. About one-third of self-identified independents approved of Tillis, with 53 percent disapproving. Less than three out of ten Democrats approve of Tillis (27 percent), with 63 percent disapproving.
When asked about his decision not to run again, half of North Carolinians approved of his decision, 41 percent had no opinion, and fewer than one in ten disapproved.
Republican Senator Ted Budd receives divided marks, with 38 percent approval and 40 percent disapproval — within the poll’s margin of error. Two in ten respondents indicated having not heard of him. Budd receives approval from 68 percent of Republicans, but only 19 percent from Democrats. Three out of ten independents approve of Budd, while 46 percent disapprove.
LOOKING AHEAD
Additional findings from the August Catawba-YouGov Survey — including North Carolinians’ views of the U.S. Constitution and the N.C. state constitution — will be released on September 17, Constitution and Citizenship Day.
You can find past Catawba-YouGov Survey results at: catawba.edu/ncpoliticscenter
