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Roy Cooper
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Roy Cooper

North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate; former two-term NC governor.

Last refreshed: 16 April 2026

Key Question

Can Roy Cooper flip a Trump state and shift Senate control?

Timeline for Roy Cooper

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Common Questions
Who is Roy Cooper running against in North Carolina 2026?
Cooper faces Republican Michael Whatley, former RNC chair, for the seat vacated by retiring senator Thom Tillis. Cook Political Report rates the race Lean Democrat as of 13 April 2026.Source: Cook Political Report
Has Roy Cooper won statewide in North Carolina before?
Yes. Cooper won the NC governorship in 2016 by fewer than 5,000 votes and was re-elected in 2020. He also served 16 years as NC Attorney General, making him one of the longest-serving figures in NC Democratic politics.
Why is North Carolina a competitive Senate race in 2026?
Retiring senator Thom Tillis converted a SAFE Republican seat into an open contest. Cook shifted it to Lean Democrat on 13 April 2026, reflecting polling that shows Democrat Roy Cooper ahead of Republican Michael Whatley.Source: Cook Political Report

Background

Roy Cooper is seeking the North Carolina Senate seat vacated by retiring Republican Thom Tillis, making the 2026 race one of the most consequential contests on the Senate map. Cook Political Report shifted North Carolina to Lean Democrat on 13 April 2026, citing early polling that places Cooper ahead of Republican nominee Michael Whatley. A Lean Democrat rating in a state Trump carried twice signals an unusually strong position for Cooper heading into the primary.

Cooper served as North Carolina's governor from 2017 to 2025, winning in 2016 by fewer than 5,000 votes and re-elected in 2020 by a wider margin. Before that he served as NC Attorney General for 16 years. His governorship focused on education funding, disaster recovery after Hurricane Florence and Dorian, and vetoing Republican-backed legislation on abortion restrictions and LGBTQ+ rights. He is one of the longest-serving figures in NC Democratic politics.

If elected, Cooper would be the first Democratic US senator from North Carolina since Kay Hagan lost her seat in 2014. His entry into the race converted a near-certain Republican hold into a contested open seat, and his profile as a moderate governor who won statewide twice gives him a credibility advantage over most potential candidates. The seat will help determine which party controls the Senate after 2026.

More questions
What were Roy Cooper's biggest accomplishments as NC governor?
Cooper focused on education funding, led disaster recovery after Hurricanes Florence and Dorian, and vetoed Republican bills on abortion restrictions and LGBTQ+ rights during his two terms from 2017 to 2025.