Former two-term Democratic Governor Roy Cooper has announced his candidacy for the Senate in North Carolina, a battleground state.
Cooper made the announcement on Monday morning to run for the open Senate seat, currently held by Republican Senator Thom Tillis who recently announced he will not seek re-election in the 2026 midterm elections.
“I have thought and prayed about it, and I have decided: I am running to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina,” Cooper shared in a social media post.
Cooper’s decision to run is a significant development for the Democratic Party, as he is considered their top recruit for next year’s elections. This move enhances their chances of flipping a key GOP-held seat and narrowing the Republicans’ Senate majority of 53-47.
Then-Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat from North Carolina, speaks with reporters on Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cooper is now running for the U.S. Senate in the 2026 midterm elections. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Several news outlets had previously reported that Cooper would enter the race, and he hinted at his candidacy during a recent event with North Carolina Democrats.
Cooper is expected to face competition from other Democratic hopefuls, including former Rep. Wiley Nickel, who launched his campaign in April. However, Cooper is likely to emerge as the frontrunner for the party’s nomination in North Carolina.
In what is anticipated to be a fiercely contested battle, Cooper is projected to compete against Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Michael Whatley in the general election.
Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley is interviewed by Fox News Digital, at the RNC headquarters in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 2025. (Paul Steinhauser – Fox News)
Former President Donald Trump has already endorsed Michael Whatley for the Senate seat, praising his credentials and expressing confidence in his abilities.
Tillis’ decision not to seek re-election has opened up opportunities for new contenders, with Lara Trump initially considered a potential candidate before announcing her decision not to run at this time.
Whatley, a former chair of the North Carolina GOP and current RNC chair, anticipates a high-stakes Senate race in North Carolina, which is expected to draw national attention.
