Roy Cooper (D), Michael Whatley (R), and three other candidates are running in North Carolina's U.S. Senate election on November 3, 2026
North Carolina's 2026 U.S. Senate race is shaping up as a competitive matchup between Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley, with three additional candidates also running. The race opened after incumbent Republican Thom Tillis announced his retirement. Both leading candidates are viewed as strong fundraisers expected to mount well-resourced campaigns.
Key Points
- Gov. Roy Cooper (D) and Michael Whatley (R) are the frontrunners in North Carolina's 2026 Senate race
- Incumbent Senator Thom Tillis (R) is retiring, creating an open seat
- Both candidates are expected to raise substantial campaign funds with strong party backing