STORY-TRÅD·politik

It's October, but Republicans are already retreating in N.C.

With one month until Election Day, some big GOP spenders are giving up on North Carolina and prioritizing other states. Why it matters: It's a sign that Republicans believe Michael Whatley can't win and that the seat will flip to Democrats, who need four pickups to regain control of the Senate.Driving the news: Several key Republican super PACs have canceled October ad campaigns in North Carolina as polls show Whatley several points behind former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.By the numbers: Last month, Republicans spent $53 million on North Carolina's Senate race, while Democrats spent $44 million, the firm AdImpact tracked.PACs backing the candidates had reserved ads totaling over $33 million for each candidate in October.Yes, but: That calculation was made on Thursday. The latest: On Friday, Senate Leadership Fund said it would redirect money meant for Whatley, Semafor and other national outlets reported. It's a major blow for the campaign. Senate Leadership Fund dropped $17 million on North Carolina in September, nearly a third of Whatley's total, according to AdImpact analysis. The PAC paid for the misleading ad that tied Cooper to a South Carolina murder suspect's release from prison, The News & Observer reported. What they're saying: Whatley campaign spokesperson DJ Griffin said they were betting on undecided voters breaking for Republicans."We feel confident we have the resources to highlight Career Politician Roy Cooper's 40 Years of Failures and win in November," Griffin said in an email.An unidentified source told Semafor it was Senate Leadership Fund's job to "maintain the majority and this move reflects the most effective and efficient use of resources."State of play: Neither Prosperity Action nor Old North Action plan to spend in North Carolina in October, Politico reported.Money is needed in races in Kansas, Texas and Alaska, a GOP operative told the publication, calling Whatley "a good man who took one for the team."Between the lines: The reduced spending could affect down-ballot Republicans in North Carolina.Several congressional races and North Carolina General Assembly seats are in play. The bottom line: It's been over a decade since a Democrat represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate, and Republicans are bracing for that to change this election cycle.