Pro-life group expands North Carolina canvassing effort as internal study identifies most effective abortion messages against Roy Cooper

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Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America commissioned a randomized-controlled trial testing four abortion-focused messages about North Carolina Senate candidates Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley. The study, conducted by Evolving Strategies among 2,607 confirmed registered voters, found all four messages shifted the Republican vote margin, with a "Fed" message focused on federal abortion legislation producing the largest movement of +4.9 points. SBA Pro-Life America said it has reached more than 770,000 homes across North Carolina as part of its voter-contact campaign.

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Photo: Pro-life group's study says Roy Cooper abortion record shifts voters toward GOP · via Fox News

770,000 homes reached

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is conducting an expanded ground operation in North Carolina targeting what both parties expect to be one of the most competitive Senate races of the 2026 cycle, as Republicans seek to hold a seat currently occupied by retiring Sen. Thom Tillis and Democrats put forward former Gov. Roy Cooper as their candidate.

2,607 registered voters

4 messages tested

The group commissioned Evolving Strategies to run a randomized-controlled trial testing four distinct message types: a "Fed" message criticizing Cooper's support for federal abortion legislation the group argues could override state-level limits; a "Record" message characterizing his gubernatorial abortion record as outside the mainstream; and "Soft Positive" and "Hard Positive" messages promoting Republican candidate Michael Whatley's pro-life positions. Respondents were randomly assigned one message or a placebo control condition, and their stated candidate and policy support was measured afterward.

"Fed" msg: +4.9 pts

"Record" msg: +3.2 pts

Hard Positive: +3.9 pts

Soft Positive: +1.7 pts

Persuadables: +12 pts est.

All four messages produced a net shift in the Republican vote margin, ranging from +1.7 points for the "Soft Positive" message to +4.9 points for the "Fed" message, according to the study. The "Record" message moved the margin +3.2 points and the "Hard Positive" message +3.9 points. Among voters the model identified as the most persuadable, the study estimated the impact could reach a net +12 points or more.