A study commissioned by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America found that abortion-focused messages about North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Roy Cooper increased support for Republican candidate Michael Whatley, with a message about federal abortion legislation having the strongest effect. The group is using the findings to guide voter outreach in a closely watched race that could affect Republican control of the Senate.

The study, conducted by Evolving Strategies, tested four messages on 2,607 confirmed registered North Carolina voters selected using voter-file and consumer data. The messages highlighted Cooper’s support for federal abortion legislation, his record as governor and his veto of the state’s 12-week abortion ban, which lawmakers later overrode; the group says its canvassers have contacted more than 770,000 homes and are targeting persuadable and low-turnout voters.