Democrat Roy Cooper Faces Uphill Battle in North Carolina Senate Race

Cooper seeks to defy state's history of electing Republicans to the U.S. Senate

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, is running for the U.S. Senate in a race that could reshape power in Washington. Cooper is trying to overcome the state's history of electing Republicans to the Senate, while his Republican opponent Michael Whatley has the backing of former President Donald Trump.

Why it matters

The North Carolina Senate race is one of the most closely watched in the country, as Democrats need to pick up four seats to win a majority in the Senate. Cooper's ability to win in a state that has trended Republican in federal elections could be crucial to Democratic hopes.

The details

Cooper, who has served two terms as governor, is running against Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman who has Trump's full support. Republicans want to frame Cooper as too liberal for the state, while Cooper is trying to turn the narrative by painting Whatley as beholden to "well-connected friends in Washington." Whatley has history on his side, as North Carolina has elected more Republican senators than Democrats in recent decades, but he lacks name recognition as a first-time candidate.

  • Cooper and Whatley easily won their party's primaries this week.
  • The general election campaign will draw hundreds of millions in spending as North Carolina is critical to Democratic efforts to win a Senate majority.

The players

Roy Cooper

The Democratic governor of North Carolina who is running for the U.S. Senate.

Michael Whatley

The Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, who has the backing of former President Donald Trump.

Pat McCrory

A former Republican governor of North Carolina who narrowly lost to Cooper in 2016.

Martha Goodson

A 71-year-old North Carolina voter who has doubts about Whatley's commitment to the state.

Iryna Zarutska

A Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light-rail train, an incident that Republicans have highlighted in their attacks on Cooper.

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What they’re saying

“Look, I'm going to be a strong, independent senator for North Carolina.”

— Roy Cooper, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate

“His leadership has changed our country, and I am proud to stand with him in the fight to secure our border, to strengthen our economy and put America first.”

— Michael Whatley, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate

“I'm just very hesitant about people that I haven't seen be thoroughly invested in North Carolina.”

— Martha Goodson, North Carolina voter

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 popular Democratic governor can overcome North Carolina's history of electing Republicans to the U.S. Senate, with major implications for control of the Senate and the national political landscape.