Did the Cal Cunningham scandal cost Biden North Carolina

[Don't Tread on Me]

With Cal Cunningham leading in the polls prior to his sex scandal, would Biden had been able to win North Carolina if it wasn't for the scandal?

[100% pro-choice no matter what]

It certainly lost Democrats that Senate seat but Biden is another matter. I'd say its a toss-up.

[THG]

No, Biden would’ve lost this state regardless.

I recall that polling for the Senate race itself didn’t change drastically even after Cheatin’ Cal’s scandal came out, though it most definitely hurt him overall IMO.

[The '90s' Last Champion]

Imo no, but it lost them the Senate seat

[Mr. Smith]

No, failing to win the NV by at least 6 did.

[Skill and Chance]

No, this is drastically overplayed.  I don't even think it cost Cunningham the race.  Congressional Dems trailed Biden just about nationwide.  If anything, Biden falling short in NC sank Cunningham.

[Tekken_Guy]

Maybe it cost Cheri Beasley the CJ race, but not much else.

[patzer]

In my opinion it barely affected things, Cunningham and Biden would have lost anyway.

[DaleCooper]

No, this is drastically overplayed.  I don't even think it cost Cunningham the race.  Congressional Dems trailed Biden just about nationwide.  If anything, Biden falling short in NC sank Cunningham.

Tillis was one of the few Republicans that underperformed Trump, even with the scandal. In fact, Tillis almost got a lower share of the vote in the Senate election than Biden did in the presidential election. It still would've been close, but Cunningham's depravity almost certainly cost him that Senate seat.

[CadetCashBoi]

I think it cost Cunningham the seat, he was polling significantly ahead of Biden prior to the scandal and it was probably a deciding factor for Republicans who originally may have been planning to split their ticket.

[Gracile]

Reverse coattail scenarios like this aren't actually a thing. Voters largely don't base their presidential vote on a downballot candidate's actions/scandals.

[President Johnson]

Reverse coattail scenarios like this aren't actually a thing. Voters largely don't base their presidential vote on a downballot candidate's actions/scandals.

This. And especially if you consider the alternative was Donald Trump, who... well, isn't known for not having affairs etc.

[TodayJunior]

I would say yes, only because (with the exception of Maine), this is the second presidential year where every state voted the same way for president and senate (provided that there was one). Had the democrats won the seat in Nc, Biden likely would have carried it by a razor thin margin too.

This could be just a coincidence with Trump being on the ballot, but it is an interesting one nonetheless. If he’s the nominee a third time, it would be interesting to see if the same thing happens again. I could definitely see Manchin, Tester, and Brown losing while Sinema and Rosen hold on, as with Cruz. If Rick Scott is losing re-election, Biden also very likely carries Florida.

No other states jump out at me that would deviate in that class of senate seats.

[Non Swing Voter]

No religious fanatics/right wing extremists in the state did.  Seen some online.

[The '90s' Last Champion]

Yes, but McSally's awfulness and to a lesser extent Romney's ego (since there are many mormons there) cost Trump AZ. So doesn't make much of a difference.

Lol Romney's ego, Romney is not entitled to endorse Trump, also reverse coattails are not a thing.

[swf541]

Maybe? It definitely cost dems the senate seat there

[Chips]

As others have pointed out, reverse coattails like that simply don't usually happen.

[DS0816]

With Cal Cunningham leading in the polls prior to his sex scandal, would Biden had been able to win North Carolina if it wasn't for the scandal?

It contributed.

Since 1972, every U.S. presidential election in which North Carolina also had a scheduled U.S. Senate election saw the same political party carry the state at both levels.

Ultimately, it is up to the candidate whether he wins or loses a race. So, this is mainly Joe Biden. He won the U.S. Popular Vote by +4.45. He was one state away from North Carolina. He needed to win nationally by +5 to flip and carry North Carolina. So, it was up to him.