Roy Cooper Enters U.S. Senate Race

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Monday.

His entry into the race is significant for the Democratic Party, especially considering their recent victories in state governor races.

Currently, it appears he will be up against Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who has received former President Trump’s endorsement.

“Our country is at a crucial crossroads, and the choices made in the upcoming election will ultimately dictate the fate of the middle class in America,” Cooper stated in his campaign announcement.

He added, “Honestly, I didn’t plan on going to Washington; my priority has always been to serve the people of North Carolina.”

The former governor is entering the race just over a month after incumbent GOP Senator Tom Tillis decided against running for reelection. Tillis had previously faced significant backlash from Trump regarding a key legislative issue.

Tillis, along with Maine Senator Susan Collins, is viewed as one of the most vulnerable Republican senators heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

North Carolina is often seen as a critical target for Democrats aiming to flip the Senate in 2026. Cooper is thought to be one of the strongest candidates, though he first needs to secure a victory in the primary election.

In the video announcement for his campaign, Cooper delivered a populist message, expressing concern that “for far too many Americans, the middle class feels like a distant dream.” He criticized politicians in Washington for the growing national debt and accused them of failing to respect veterans while cutting essential funding.

Despite North Carolina’s reputation as a swing state, the political landscape is quite evenly divided. Democrats haven’t won a Senate seat there since 2008.

Cooper won his governorship in 2016 by a narrow margin of about 0.22 percent, and then won by roughly 4.5 points in his reelection bid. His successor, Democratic Governor Josh Stein, won nearly 15 points against Republican Mark Robinson following a scandal last November.

Recently, Trump endorsed Whatley, who previously led the North Carolina GOP, as he prepares to challenge Cooper in what is expected to be a highly competitive race.

“Mike would make an exceptional senator for North Carolina. He’s excelled in everything he does, especially at the RNC, where we had significant wins during the presidential election,” Trump remarked.

This endorsement came after a conversation with Trump’s daughter-in-law about the Senate race.

Sources indicated that Whatley is expected to officially enter the race soon.

The Republicans currently hold a majority in the Senate, with a 53-47 split, and they will be defending 22 of the 35 seats in 2026.

North Carolina and Maine are seen as particularly vulnerable GOP seats, while Democrats will also need to safeguard their positions in Georgia.