Former North Carolina Democratic Governor Roy Cooper jumped into what many predict will be the most competitive race of the 2026 midterms on Monday, announcing his campaign for the U.S. Senate in a video posted to social media.
“I never really wanted to go to Washington … but these are not ordinary times,” the former governor said. “I thought on it and prayed about it, and I’ve decided: I want to serve as your next United States senator, because even now, I still believe our best days are ahead of us.”
Cooper’s entry comes after incumbent GOP Senator Thom Tillis announced last month he wouldn’t seek reelection following President Trump’s public attacks on his vote opposing a motion to advance the Big, Beautiful Bill, which was signed into law on July 4.
Cooper, who served as North Carolina’s governor from 2017 to 2025, enters the race as a formidable candidate — a two-term governor who won statewide elections in 2016 and 2020, while Trump carried North Carolina, according to POLITICO.
The former governor’s announcement, combined with Tillis’ exit, has bolstered Democrats’ otherwise slim chances of retaking control of the Senate, where Republicans currently maintain a 53-47 majority.
Cook Political Report rates North Carolina as Democrats’ only “toss-up” pickup opportunity, while listing Susan Collins’ Maine seat as “Lean Republican.” Republicans have their own “toss-up” chances in Democrat-held seats in Georgia and Michigan — both states Trump carried in 2024 — meaning Democrats are likely to hold just 49 seats even in their best-case scenario.
Cooper brings a proven ability to appeal to swing voters and donors that Democrats desperately need, but also an extreme record that has drawn criticism from conservatives.
During his tenure, he vetoed multiple Republican-backed bills, including legislation banning trans surgery for minors and a bill requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE. His handling of COVID-19 restrictions sparked controversy, with many Republican lawmakers accusing him of government overreach.
Republicans quickly dismissed Cooper, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee branding him a “Democrat lapdog.”
“North Carolina wants a senator who will champion working families, safety, and American values, not an incompetent, far-left career politician like Cooper who will wreck everything they care about,” said NRSC communications director Joanna Rodriguez, per POLITICO.
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley is expected to announce his bid in the coming days, although he has already received an endorsement from President Trump.
Lara Trump cleared the path for Whatley’s candidacy, announcing last week she would not seek the seat. Whatley previously served as the North Carolina Republican Party chairman before assuming leadership of the RNC under President Trump.
