Cooper flips North Carolina Senate seat in Democratic breakthrough

Roy Cooper, the former two-term governor of North Carolina, won the open Senate seat on Tuesday. NBC News projected his victory over Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman. The result gives Democrats one of the four net seats they need to seize the chamber.

The win marks the first time a Democrat has taken a Senate seat in the state since 2008. Cooper will replace Thom Tillis, a Republican who announced he would not seek re-election. Tillis had become increasingly critical of President Donald Trump during his second term before deciding to step down.

Cooper’s campaign focused heavily on the cost of living, a top concern for voters. He avoided a contentious primary and built a solid lead in the polls during the closing weeks of the race. His high name recognition gave him an advantage over his opponent, who had never previously run for elected office.

Whatley had previously led the state party and earned national attention as RNC chairman during the 2024 election. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance held several rallies to support him in the final stretch. Despite this backing, a top Republican super PAC canceled its ad spending in North Carolina. The group shifted its focus to protecting seats in more conservative states.

Trump acknowledged the shifting tides in the state. At an October rally, he told supporters, "He’s going to become your senator," while referring to Cooper. He added, "And it’s crazy." The president’s comments signaled a likely outcome for the race.

Voters expressed dissatisfaction with the economy and the Iran war, making it difficult for Whatley to distance himself from the unpopular president. This contest was the first midterm Senate race held in North Carolina with Trump in power. The state had not held a Senate election in 2018, the last midterm during Trump’s first term.