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Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper formally announced Monday he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, launching a high-profile campaign that instantly reshapes one of the nation’s most competitive races. Cooper, a Democrat and seasoned statewide candidate, seeks to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in a race poised to draw national attention and massive spending.
“This is a moment that demands strong leadership, a steady hand, and a proven record of fighting for what matters,” Cooper said in a campaign launch video posted on social media and his website.
Background
The 68-year-old Cooper served two terms as governor and 16 years before that as the state’s attorney general. He leaves office in January 2025 due to term limits, and his decision to seek federal office follows months of encouragement from Democratic strategists hoping to flip the Republican-held seat.
Cooper’s entry marks a major recruiting win for national Democrats, who face a challenging Senate map in 2026. The party must defend vulnerable seats in red states while also gaining at least four more to reclaim the Senate majority. North Carolina, which Trump won by just three points in 2024, is one of the few plausible pickup opportunities.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who has long drawn criticism from the right for his willingness to work across the aisle and his opposition to cuts to Medicaid, announced on June 29 that he would not seek a third term. That announcement came shortly after former President Donald Trump threatened to back a primary challenger.
Legal and Political Dynamics
The North Carolina race sets up a likely showdown between Cooper and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who is expected to declare his candidacy with Trump’s full endorsement. Trump praised Whatley on Truth Social last week, calling him an “unbelievable Senator” if he chooses to run.
Whatley, a former North Carolina GOP chair, gained prominence as a staunch ally of Trump and helped oversee the party’s operations during the 2024 election cycle. According to two people familiar with the matter, Whatley is preparing a Senate bid and received Trump’s approval after Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, declined to run.
Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel, who lost his House seat in 2024, has also been campaigning for the nomination and is unlikely to clear the field without a primary challenge. Statewide primaries are scheduled for March 3, 2026.
Reactions and Party Strategies
Democratic leaders hailed Cooper’s announcement as a potential game-changer. He remains the last Democrat to win a statewide race in North Carolina, which has tilted red in recent federal elections.
“Roy Cooper is a tested leader with deep roots in North Carolina and a record of delivering results,” said Sen. Gary Peters, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, in a statement.
But Republicans wasted no time in framing Cooper as vulnerable. GOP operatives argue that his support for abortion rights and opposition to school choice will make him an easy target in a state that leans conservative in national contests.
“Roy Cooper leaves behind a legacy of liberal overreach and economic mismanagement,” said Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump adviser.
Broader Context
Cooper’s political career has spanned nearly four decades. As governor, he navigated multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Florence, and intense cultural debates over LGBTQ rights. He helped roll back the controversial “bathroom bill,” guided Medicaid expansion through a Republican legislature, and oversaw a booming economy marked by record job creation and low unemployment.
However, his administration also faced criticism. Republicans have pointed to cost overruns at the state Department of Transportation, delayed disaster relief programs, and strict pandemic restrictions as liabilities.
During his final year in office, Cooper was even floated as a possible 2024 vice presidential pick for Kamala Harris before declining to pursue it, saying “it just wasn’t the right time.”
What Comes Next
The North Carolina Senate race is expected to draw hundreds of millions in campaign spending, with control of the Senate likely to hang in the balance. The state’s fragmented media market makes running statewide particularly expensive.
Cooper enters the race as a Democratic frontrunner, but he could face a primary with Nickel and others. On the Republican side, Whatley is widely expected to clear the field with Trump’s endorsement, though the official announcement has not yet come.
Both parties will closely watch voter sentiment among independents, who often tip the balance in the Tar Heel State. With Cooper’s long electoral record and Whatley’s MAGA credentials, the race is shaping up to be a defining clash between moderate pragmatism and populist conservatism.
