Vance pushes early voting in Kinston rally as Democrats lead in ballots cast

Vice President JD Vance told a crowd in Kinston on Wednesday to cast their ballots early, citing a current Democratic lead in early voting totals.

The vice president appeared at the Kinston airport to support Republican Michael Whatley. Whatley, former national party chairman, is running to replace retiring Senator Thom Tillis. His opponent is Roy Cooper, a former governor.

The race has moved into its final stretch. Tillis announced his retirement, clearing the path for this contest. Early voting has already begun across the state. Cooper held a separate campaign event in Durham on the same day.

Vance urged the audience to act quickly. He told the crowd that they had an opportunity in six days to vote for North Carolina patriots. He described the group as believers in real sovereignty.

The vice president also campaigned for Laurie Buckout, a retired Army colonel. Buckout is seeking the 1st Congressional District seat. Vance called Whatley as North Carolina as it gets. He said he watched Whatley build the operation that returned the country to American hands in 2024.

Vance criticized his opponent for working with far-left activists. He said he did not want the government to be his nanny. He expressed a desire for young people to afford homes and for his children to raise families in a free and prosperous nation.

Whatley said he felt confident about the outcome. He pledged to cut red tape that affects manufacturers, small businesses, and farms. He said he would work daily to ensure families keep more of their own money. Voters at the rally cited immigration reform and the economy as their main concerns.