NC Gov. Roy Cooper in 2022. The former governor is expected to soon enter his name in the race for US Senate in 2026. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Popular former NC Gov. Roy Cooper is widely expected to announce his campaign for the US Senate, a new report says. Here’s what that means.
Former NC Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to run in the 2026 US Senate race, a new Axios report says.
Cooper, NC’s ex-attorney general and ex-governor, left the governor’s office in 2024 with broad support. He was considered as a potential running mate to Kamala Harris in 2024 too.
His entry in the race is a big win for NC Democrats, who are hoping to land a seat in the US Senate for the first time since the late Kay Hagan left office in 2015.
With Sen. Thom Tillis’ coming retirement, NC’s Senate seat is expected to be one of the most important in the nation in 2026. Follow Cardinal & Pine on social media for more breaking news like this. Scroll below for more info.
Read More: Roy Cooper will be remembered as one of North Carolina’s most beloved governors
Author
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for North Carolinians and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Cardinal & Pine has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of North Carolina families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
In Durham, immigrant advocates condemn ICE presence at courthouse
“From what we know, ICE came to try to detain someone before they could have a first appearance in court,” an organizer with Siembra NC said in...
Cardinal & Pine wins 5 North Carolina press awards, including two first-place honors
The team at Cardinal & Pine took home five NC press awards this year, including awards for best video and best editorials. Here's what to know....
Good News Friday: A NC bookstore holds a ‘silent book club.’ What’s that mean?
Cardinal & Pine’s Good News Friday round up of good news in NC checks out a big blood drive, a hands-on camping experience for kids, and an...
Good News Friday: A NC bookstore holds a ‘silent book club.’ What’s that mean?
Cardinal & Pine’s Good News Friday round up of good news in NC checks out a big blood drive, a hands-on camping experience for kids, and an...
‘Not equitable by a long shot’: How money influences NC coastal erosion mitigation
In order to fight coastal erosion, NC beach communities need to find sand for beach renourishment. But getting it takes money. By Sydney Brainard...
