Roy Cooper, the former two-term Democratic governor of North Carolina, officially announced Monday morning that he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. In a statement posted to X, Cooper said, “I have thought on it and prayed about it, and I have decided: I am running to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina.”
Cooper enters the race with a long history of public service and electoral success. Over the past 30 years, he has never lost an election — winning races for the state Senate, attorney general, and governor, often outperforming the top of the Democratic ticket in a very purple state. His Senate bid comes on the heels of GOP Senator Thom Tillis announcing he will not seek a third term, opening a competitive seat in what is expected to be one of the most expensive Senate contests in the country. Republicans have tapped RNC Chair Michael Whatley as their candidate, while Lara Trump — once floated as a possible contender — will not run.
Cooper, who concluded his governorship at the end of 2024, left office with a legacy of expanding health care access, investing in education, and driving job growth across North Carolina. In his farewell address, Cooper highlighted the progress the state made under his leadership—calling it a place where people are “better educated, healthier, and have more money in their pockets.”
Cooper’s entry into the 2026 race instantly reshapes the political landscape in North Carolina. As a seasoned campaigner with a long list of bipartisan accomplishments, he is expected to be a formidable contender in a race that could determine control of the U.S. Senate.
Democrats had long encouraged Cooper to seek higher office — he was even considered as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris — but he declined. With a wide-open Senate seat and a strong record to run on, Cooper’s decision to enter the race now could energize Democrats both in North Carolina and nationwide.
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