Cooper, a former governor, was hailed from the start as Democrats’ top recruit in the Senate.
Republicans countered with Michael Whatley, Trump’s hand-picked Republican Party chairman, whom the president urged to run for the seat.
The winner will succeed Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced his retirement and became a vocal critic of Trump.
FILE – This combined image shows North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate, former Gov. Roy Cooper, left, and Republican candidate, former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, both speaking at separate primary election night watch parties, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Ramey, Erik Verduzco)
The race has become a testing ground for the two parties’ fight to how to manage the economy and the Republicans’ sweeping tax and budget law that Trump called a “big, beautiful bill.”
Cooper avoided personal criticism of Trump but hammered Whatley and Republicans on inflation. Whatley applauded the GOP tax cuts on tipping, overtime and Social Security.
Republicans have dominated Senate elections in North Carolina for the past half-century. But Cooper never lost an election, starting as a state senator before winning four terms as attorney general and two terms as governor.
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