CBS News reports that Republicans hold a narrow Senate majority with 53 seats, that Democrats must flip four seats to regain control, and that North Carolina tops the list. The Associated Press reports that Democrats view North Carolina as part of their most viable path alongside Maine, Alaska and Ohio. Roll Call reports the open seat could determine control of the chamber.
The seat is open because Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is retiring. "It's not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election," Fox News quoted him saying. The Associated Press reported that Tillis opposed the tax and spending bill because of Medicaid reductions, and that Trump then threatened a primary challenge, posting that "Tillis is a talker and complainer, NOT A DOER." The retirement, the Associated Press reported, created "a wide-open Senate race in a state that has long been a contested battleground."
The Associated Press reports that Cooper, 68, "hasn't lost a North Carolina election going back to first running for the state House in the mid-1980s, leading to 16 years as attorney general and eight as governor through 2024." CBS News calls him "the longest-serving state attorney general in North Carolina's history," and a two-term governor. The Associated Press reports that as governor he managed the coronavirus response, oversaw hurricane recovery and expanded Medicaid, and that he was unable to prevent private school voucher expansion or abortion restrictions.
CBS News reports that Whatley chaired the state Republican Party and then the Republican National Committee, and that Trump publicly recruited him after Lara Trump declined to run, saying, "I have a mission for my friends in North Carolina, and that is to get Michael Whatley to run for the U.S. Senate," and pledging an endorsement. Whatley entered the race days after Cooper with no prior electoral experience, CBS News reports, and the Associated Press reports he previously worked in President George W. Bush's administration.
The Associated Press reports that "A Democrat hasn't won a Senate race in North Carolina since 2008," and that Trump carried the state by about 3 percentage points in 2024. CBS News reports that besides Barack Obama in 2008, the state has historically voted for Republicans for president. Both candidates, the Associated Press reports, were recruited by their party leaders for "an expensive and closely watched contest to replace retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis."
Cooper said this in Greensboro in an Associated Press article on how voters weigh the economy heading into the midterms.
“It seems like everything that Washington is doing is driving up costs across the board”
Cooper said this while voting in Raleigh on the day of North Carolina's Senate primaries, in an Associated Press report.
“Make sure that I'm a strong, independent senator who can work with this president when I can, stand up to him when I need to and recognize that people are struggling right now”
Cooper said this in the video announcing his Senate candidacy, as reported by the Associated Press.
“I never really wanted to go to Washington. I just wanted to serve the people of North Carolina right here, where I've lived all my life”
Cooper said this in the video announcing his Senate campaign, which described pressure on the middle class.
“Meanwhile the biggest corporations and the richest Americans have grabbed unimaginable wealth at your expense. It's time for that to change.”
Cooper said this in his campaign launch video.
“I want to serve as your next United States Senator, because, even now, I still believe our best days are ahead”
Whatley said this at an appearance with Vice President JD Vance in Rocky Mount, in an Associated Press article on the tax law and the midterms.
“I don't know about you, but I sure trust you to spend your money better than a federal government in D.C.”
Whatley said this while voting early in Gastonia around North Carolina's primary, in an Associated Press report.
“It's very important for us to have a conservative champion and for President Trump to have an ally in the Senate”
Whatley said this in a Fox News Digital interview ahead of a Trump visit to North Carolina, looking ahead to the coming year.
“We're seeing signs already that the economy is starting to tick up and is starting to take hold as the President's policies are getting in place. We need to make sure that we have the trade policies, the tax policies, the regulatory policies from this administration that are going to help our small businesses, our manufacturers and our farmers across North Carolina.”
Whatley said this in his campaign launch speech in Gastonia to a crowd of family, friends and supporters.
“President Trump deserves an ally, and North Carolina deserves a strong conservative voice in the Senate”
Whatley said this in his campaign launch speech, referring to his Democratic opponent.
“Roy Cooper may pretend to be different from the radical extremists that run today’s Democrat Party, but he is all in on their agenda”
Platforms are on the candidates' own sites, linked above.