Roy Cooper, Michael Whatley Poised for NC Senate Race

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a two-term Democrat, is expected to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate next week, making the race for the seat vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis one of the most competitive of the 2026 cycle. Cooper, who has never lost a statewide election, is considered Democrats’ top recruit and offers the party a strong chance to flip the seat in this battleground state. On the Republican side, RNC chairman Michael Whatley is preparing to run, with strong backing from former President Donald Trump and the national GOP, while Lara Trump is now expected to support Whatley instead of running. Sen. Tillis’s retirement follows public criticism from Trump over legislative disagreements. The race is expected to feature record-setting campaign spending and attract significant outside attention. The contest is likely to be pivotal in determining control of the Senate after the 2026 midterms.