The former North Carolina governor is officially in the running for a Senate seat.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Former North Carolina governor Roy Cooper is officially running for U.S. Senate.
Cooper, a Democrat, announced on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, that he filed his paperwork for the 2026 race. In a statement, he promised to serve the state should he be elected.
“I’ve lived and served in North Carolina my entire life and I’m proud to be on the ballot for the United States Senate,” he said. “I’m ready to go to Washington to be an independent voice for North Carolina and focus on the issues that really matter to people – supporting more good paying jobs, making health care more affordable and accessible, and lowering costs for people who are trying to make ends meet.”
Within 65 days of announcing his candidacy for the open Senate seat, Cooper raised $14.5 million for his bid.
The North Carolina GOP offered its own statement, claiming Cooper’s time as governor didn’t see many gains for citizens.
“Radical Roy Cooper crawled out of Chuck Schumer’s windowless basement long enough to file for U.S. Senate today. Over 40 years in public office he has been on the wrong side of every issue important to North Carolina families: vetoing tax cuts for the middle class, making communities less safe by releasing convicted criminals from prisons, and cheerleading the left’s obsession with letting men invade women’s sports and spaces. In 2026, the myth of Roy Cooper will be exposed and his failed record will be the reason he loses,” said NCGOP Communications Director Matt Mercer.
If Cooper wins the Democratic primary, his opponent would be Republican Michael Whatley. An August 2025 public poll showed Cooper holding a six-point advantage over Whatley.
The open Senate seat is being vacated by Republican Thom Tillis, who announced in June 2025 that he was retiring from office and would not seek re-election in 2026.
Political experts say the likely race between Cooper and Whatley could shape up to be an intriguing one to watch.
“[Cooper] has been in office for so long as the Governor in North Carolina, that’s going to give him both advantages and disadvantages,” Mecklenburg County Republican Party Chair Kyle Kirby said. “It’s going to shape up to be a very interesting race when we have to see two people out there that most likely have both been in politics for a very long time.”
Political strategist Douglas Wilson says Democrats believe Cooper is in the best position to do this because of his history.
“He is a pragmatic Democrat. He has been able to govern in a state that is a center-right, purple state. He’s been able to govern with a Republican majority,” Wilson said.
Wilson added that this is likely to be a billion-dollar race. Political analysts believe North Carolina will host one of the most competitive Senate races in the next election cycle.
“For national Democrats, this was the prize that they wanted. Somebody who has won six times statewide, who has a very high name recognition, who will probably be able to raise as much money, if not more than he possibly needs,” Michael Bitzer, a political professor at Catawba College, said.
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