With Thom Tillis retiring, Democrats are hoping to flip one of North Carolina’s Senate seats.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ One of the biggest national races in the 2026 midterm elections is set, with Democrat Roy Cooper facing Republican Michael Whatley for one of North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seats.ย
Cooper, who served as North Carolina’s governor from 2017 to 2025, easily won the Democratic primary. The veteran politician has never lost a statewide election, and Democrats are hoping his moderate position could help them flip a seat in Washington. A Democrat hasn’t held either of North Carolina’s Senate seats since Kay Hagan from 2009 to 2015.ย
Whatley, the former chair of the Republican National Committee, was the leading candidate entering the Republican primary with the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Whatley won Tuesday’s primary comfortably and now seeks to maintain the GOP’s hold on the Senate.
Who is Roy Cooper?ย
Cooper served as North Carolinaโs governor from 2017 to 2025 and previously as state attorney general for four terms. Some of his efforts during his time as governor included expanding Medicaid, increasing teacher pay, and managing post-Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. According to his campaign website, Cooper is focused on issues centered on affordability, access to health care, public education, and job creation.ย
Who is Michael Whatley?ย
Whatley’s career began as a federal law clerk in Charlotte, then serving in former President George W. Bush’s administration in the Department of Energy. He also served as chief of staff for Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who herself served as a member of the Agriculture, Banking and Armed Services committees.
During Trump’s first administration, Whatley was tapped to lead that administration’s transition teams for energy, agriculture, and environment. He also oversaw the development of Trump’s Farm Plan and Energy Plan. In 2019, he was elected chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, a role he served until being elected chair of the RNC in 2024.ย
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