Former two-term North Carolina Democratic Governor Roy Cooper officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Monday, July 28, 2025, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be one of the most competitive and expensive races of the 2026 midterm elections. Cooper’s entry into the race follows the late June 2025 announcement by incumbent Republican Senator Thom Tillis that he would not seek re-election, creating an open seat in the crucial battleground state.
Cooper, who served as North Carolina’s Governor from 2017 to 2025 and previously as the state’s Attorney General for 16 years (2001-2017), launched his campaign via a social media post, stating, “I have thought on it and prayed about it, and I have decided: I am running to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina.” His candidacy is viewed as a significant boost for the Democratic Party’s efforts to chip away at the Republican’s current 53-47 Senate majority. In his announcement video, Cooper criticized “politicians in DC” for issues such as rising debt, threats to healthcare, disrespect for veterans, cuts to aid for the poor, and risking Medicare and Social Security for tax breaks benefiting billionaires, a clear jab at former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair Kirsten Gillibrand quickly voiced their support, calling Cooper a “formidable candidate who will flip North Carolina’s Senate seat.” (Fox News)
The Republican field for the seat quickly coalesced around Michael Whatley, the current Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair. Whatley, who previously chaired the North Carolina GOP, is expected to be Cooper’s primary opponent in the general election. His path was cleared when Lara Trump, former President Trump’s daughter-in-law and a North Carolina native, announced on Thursday, July 24, 2025, that she would not pursue the Senate seat “at this time,” despite being considered a top choice by her father-in-law. (Fox News)
Former President Donald Trump, a powerful figure in GOP politics, swiftly endorsed Whatley, calling him “fantastic at everything he does” and stating, “Mike would make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina.” This endorsement is particularly impactful in North Carolina, a state that has supported Trump in all three of his presidential elections and has elected Republicans to both of its U.S. Senate seats for over a decade. Senator Tim Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), also backed Whatley, praising him as a “strong America First conservative.” (Fox News)
Republicans were quick to launch attacks against Cooper. Alex Latcham, Executive Director of the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), a top super PAC supporting Senate Republicans, criticized Cooper’s tenure as governor, citing a “botched response to Hurricane Helene that left over 100 people dead,” pardons of “violent criminals,” and vetoes that allegedly allowed “boys in girls’ sports and forced higher taxes on working families.” Joanna Rodriguez, NRSC Communications Director, echoed these sentiments, labeling Cooper a “Democrat lapdog” who “spent his time as Governor sabotaging President Trump, doing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ bidding, releasing violent illegal aliens into North Carolina streets, and championing radical transgender ideology.” The NRSC had already targeted Cooper in a digital ad prior to his official announcement. (Fox News)
The 2026 North Carolina Senate race is poised to be a fierce contest, drawing national attention and significant financial investment from both parties as they vie for control of the U.S. Senate.
