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North Carolina Senate Race Pits Former Governor Against Trump Ally
Democrats hope Roy Cooper's name recognition can overcome Michael Whatley's Trump endorsement in the battleground state.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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The race to fill the North Carolina Senate seat being vacated by Republican Thom Tillis is shaping up to be a high-stakes contest between former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley, a Republican backed by former President Trump. Cooper, a moderate Democrat with decades of political experience, is seen as the Democrats' best chance to flip the seat, while Whatley, a former GOP party official, is running on his close ties to Trump. The race is expected to be heavily nationalized and a key battleground in the fight for control of the Senate.
Why it matters
North Carolina has been a political battleground for years, with Democrats making inroads at the state level even as Republicans have dominated Senate races. This contest will test whether Cooper's bipartisan appeal and name recognition can overcome the Trump factor, which could energize the Republican base. The outcome could have major implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
The details
Cooper, who served as North Carolina's attorney general for 16 years before being elected governor, is running as a moderate who has shown an ability to work with Republicans in the state legislature. Whatley, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, entered the race with Trump's endorsement and is expected to closely align himself with the former president's policies. Key issues in the race include healthcare, the recovery from a major hurricane, and the economy, with both candidates seeking to portray the other as out-of-touch with voters' concerns.
- The primaries are scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
- The general election will take place on November 4, 2026.
The players
Roy Cooper
A moderate Democrat who served as North Carolina's attorney general for 16 years before being elected governor. He has never been defeated in an election.
Michael Whatley
A former chairman of the Republican National Committee who entered the race with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
Thom Tillis
The Republican incumbent senator who is retiring at the end of his term.
Donald Trump
The former president who has endorsed Michael Whatley in the race.
Andrew Dunn
A Republican strategist and the publisher of Longleaf Politics, a conservative newsletter.
What they’re saying
“More so than any race North Carolina has had in the past, this is going to be a purely nationalized race. The result will rise and fall based on President Trump's popularity in North Carolina.”
— Andrew Dunn, Republican strategist (The New York Times)
“Michael Whatley is going to do whatever this president tells him to do.”
— Roy Cooper (The New York Times)
“North Carolina stood up and said, 'That's our guy.'”
— Michael Whatley (The New York Times)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This race will test whether a well-known moderate Democrat can overcome the Trump factor in a politically divided state, with major implications for control of the Senate.
