By Karim Hammam
Democrat Roy Cooper has won North Carolina's U.S. Senate race, according to an Associated Press projection, defeating Republican Michael Whatley in a significant setback for President Donald Trump. The 69-year-old former two-term governor leveraged his statewide recognition and strong independent voter support, centering his campaign on high food and energy costs as Trump's approval ratings declined.
Cooper Ends 18-Year Democratic Drought
Cooper becomes the first Democrat elected to the Senate from North Carolina in 18 years, breaking a streak of five consecutive Republican victories. He will succeed Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced his retirement in June 2025 after clashing with Trump over the "Big, Beautiful Bill" and subsequently criticizing administration policies on Iran and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Senate Majority at Stake
Republicans entered the election with a 53-47 Senate majority, meaning Democrats need a net gain of four seats to claim control. A Democratic majority would provide a check on Trump's agenda during his final two years in office, with key races also underway in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas alongside numerous House contests.
Whatley's Trump-Backed Campaign
Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chair with no prior elected experience, campaigned closely with Trump. In 2024, Trump endorsed Whatley to replace Ronna McDaniel as RNC chair, and alongside co-chair Lara Trump, Whatley led an election integrity effort aimed at mobilizing 100,000 Republican volunteers and attorneys to monitor polling in battleground states during the 2024 presidential election.
