Former Governor Roy Cooper has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, joining Trump-backed RNC Chair Michael Whatley in what is expected to be a costly campaign.

Democrat and former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday announced that he is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Thom Tillis, who won't seek re-election in 2026.

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper jumped into the state’s open Senate race Monday, boosting Democrats’ hopes and setting up a likely contest with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whately in one of the nation’s most competitive battlegrounds.