Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper , a Democrat, leads Republican Michael Whatley in the state’s U.S. Senate race, according to a new poll. Democrats are eyeing a narrow path to reclaiming control of the Senate, where Republicans hold the majority. The North Carolina contest follows Republican Senator Thom Tillis’  decision not to seek reelection , opening up a seat in a state that has leaned Republican in recent federal elections but remains closely divided. The state has backed