Potential government shutdown could loom heavily on NC 2026 election

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Congress is no closer to funding a stopgap bill that would keep the federal government running after Sept. 30. Both parties continue to dig their heels in. Republicans want a clean resolution, while Democrats want to include a funding extension of premium insurance tax credits as part of the Affordable Care Act.

If no deal can be reached and the federal government shuts down, it could have a dramatic impact on the 2026 election. Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper said the length of a shutdown is key.

“If this is a couple of days, maybe even a week, people aren’t going to remember this next month, much less next year. But if we have a one-month government shutdown, if we start getting towards the Christmas season, if the leaves have not just changed, but fallen off the trees, then I think people are going to remember this,” he said. “Basically, if people lose their jobs, lose their houses, lose their investments, they’re not going to forget.” 

Services provided by the federal government touch every American. Cooper said once people start to see a shutdown actually changing their lives, the more likely they’ll take that anger to the polls. 

“It’s about the economy, but it’s also about healthcare. It’s also about the roads we travel on. If we have a long-term shutdown, people are going to feel the effects,” said Cooper. “Make no mistake, as much as you may not think you need the government to survive or that government doesn’t touch your life, it does, and you do. And I think we’re going to find out if this is a long-term shutdown, exactly how much folks do depend on the government, whether they like it or not.”  

North Carolina’s 2026 US Senate race is among the most closely watched in the nation. Both parties see it as a crucial win. President Trump has endorsed presumptive Republican nominee Michael Whatley. He will likely face former Democratic governor Roy Cooper [no relation to Prof. Chris Cooper]. The former governor has never lost a political race, including six statewide elections. A long shutdown would undoubtably become part of the debate. 

“It is true, as cliche as it sounds, that anything can happen, that either one of these candidates can win, that it will be close,” said the Western Carolina University professor. “And so, yes, this could absolutely, depending on who folks blame, have an effect one way or the other on the U.S. Senate race. There’s really no question about that.”