What’s New?
On July 28, 2025, Roy Cooper officially announced his run for the 2026 U.S. Senate elections in a video posted on X. This was a surprise move since he hadn’t planned to run for a Washington seat before.
He will compete for the seat currently held by Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who decided not to run again after facing criticism from Donald Trump over his stance on a major tax bill.
The Democratic primary is expected to be competitive between Cooper and former Congressman Wiley Nickel, who announced his candidacy in April 2025 and hasn’t dropped out. No Republican has officially entered the race yet, but Michael Whatley, head of the Republican National Committee and backed by Trump, is expected to run.
What Does This Mean?
Cooper’s candidacy is a major boost for Democrats. He’s the most popular potential candidate in the state, which hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 2008.
North Carolina is now seen as the only “toss-up” seat for 2026, giving Democrats a real shot at flipping it.
Still, for Democrats to control the Senate, they’ll need to win more seats in Republican states like Maine and Florida, and protect their current seats in places like Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.
Republican Side
Michael Whatley is expected to run as the GOP’s main candidate with direct support from Trump. He hasn’t officially announced yet, but preparations are underway.
Quick Summary:
Date: July 28, 2025 – Roy Cooper’s official announcement
Democratic Candidate: Roy Cooper (68, former governor)
Likely GOP Candidate: Michael Whatley, RNC chair, backed by Trump
Seat: Thom Tillis’s seat (he’s retiring)
Chance of Winning: Toss-up – strong opportunity for Democrats
Long-term Stakes: The 2026 elections could decide control of the Senate