Former Governor Roy Cooper won North Carolina's U.S. Senate race on November 3, 2026, defeating Trump-backed Republican Michael Whatley to become the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the state since 2008. Cooper's victory over Whatley delivers a blow to President Donald Trump, who personally recruited Whatley and campaigned for him in Gastonia and Greenville. The victory provides a key pick-up for Democrats seeking to flip the 53-47 Republican Senate majority, alongside victories by incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Representative Chris Pappas in New Hampshire.
Cooper North Carolina Senate victory
- ▪Democrat Roy Cooper will succeed retiring Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis after winning the North Carolina U.S. Senate race on November 3, 2026
- ▪A poll by the Center for Survey Research at East Carolina University released on November 1, 2026, found 54 percent of North Carolina voters disapproving of President Donald Trump's job performance
- ▪Democrat Roy Cooper ran on an economic campaign slogan of 'Make Stuff Cost Less,' focusing on rising food and energy costs to win independent voters
- ▪Democrat Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, becoming the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate election in North Carolina since 2008
Trump campaign support for Whatley
- ▪President Donald Trump visited North Carolina twice after Labor Day to hold rallies in Gastonia and Greenville for Republican candidate Michael Whatley
- ▪Vice President JD Vance campaigned in North Carolina to support Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley and other state Republicans
- ▪President Donald Trump publicly urged former RNC chair Michael Whatley to run for the North Carolina U.S. Senate seat following Republican Senator Thom Tillis's retirement announcement
Democratic Senate majority strategy
- ▪Heading into Election Day on November 3, 2026, polling showed Democrats competitive in several U.S. Senate races in traditionally Republican states
- ▪Senate Democrats needed a net gain of four seats in the 2026 midterm elections to flip the 53-47 Republican majority in the U.S. Senate
Ossoff Georgia reelection
- ▪An Atlanta Journal-Constitution/University of Georgia poll conducted prior to November 3, 2026, showed President Donald Trump with a 55 percent job disapproval rating in Georgia
- ▪Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff won reelection in Georgia, defeating Republican challenger Representative Mike Collins
- ▪Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff raised $136.6 million through October 14, 2026, compared to $10.7 million raised by Republican opponent Mike Collins in Georgia
Pappas New Hampshire Senate win
- ▪Representative Chris Pappas succeeded retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, becoming the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate
- ▪Democratic Representative Chris Pappas won the New Hampshire U.S. Senate race, defeating Republican former Senator John E. Sununu
- ▪Republican John E. Sununu conceded the New Hampshire U.S. Senate race
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