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Governors

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper Announces Run for US Senate

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper will run for the US Senate in 2026 to replace retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis. Cooper's decision comes after months of speculation, with Democrats encouraging him to enter the competitive seat.

Cooper, a two-time winner of statewide elections, served as governor from 2017 to 2025, beating incumbent Republican Governor Pat McCrory in 2016 by a narrow margin of over 10,000 votes. As governor, Cooper expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, providing health insurance to nearly 670,000 North Carolinians. He also led the state's response to several natural disasters, including Hurricane Florence in 2018.

Cooper's candidacy is seen as a potentially game-changing opportunity for Democrats to flip the swing state. With a long history of winning statewide elections, Cooper is considered a strong contender in the primary. He will likely face Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

Key Takeaways:

  • Roy Cooper announced his candidacy for the US Senate in 2026 to replace retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis.
  • Cooper has never lost a statewide election, winning two terms as governor and serving two terms as attorney general of North Carolina.
  • As governor, Cooper expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, providing health insurance to nearly 670,000 North Carolinians.
  • Cooper led the state's response to several natural disasters, including Hurricane Florence in 2018.
  • Cooper's candidacy is seen as a potentially game-changing opportunity for Democrats to flip the swing state.
  • Cooper will likely face Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
  • Cooper's primary opponent, former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel, is expected to drop out of the race and endorse Cooper.
  • Democrats have not won a mid-term Senate race in North Carolina since 1998.
  • Cooper serves as the longest-serving attorney general in North Carolina history.

Statistics:

  • 10,000 votes: the margin by which Cooper defeated incumbent Republican Governor Pat McCrory in 2016.
  • 670,000: the number of North Carolinians who received health insurance due to Cooper's expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
  • 2018: the year in which Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, prompting Cooper's emergency response efforts.
  • 2001-2025: the period during which Cooper served as governor of North Carolina.
  • 1987-1991: the period during which Cooper served in the North Carolina state House of Representatives.

Sources:

  • "Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announces bid for US Senate" - original article
  • "North Carolina's open seat is widely projected to be one of three Senate toss-ups in 2026" - original article
  • "Cooper served as governor from 2017 to 2025" - original article
  • "Cooper's primary opponent, former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel, is expected to drop out of the race and endorse Cooper" - original article

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