NC-SEN: Roy Cooper to jump into North Carolina Senate race Monday

[RandySF]

Roy Cooper is expected to announce his campaign for the North Carolina Senate as soon as Monday, according to two people directly familiar with the former governor’s decision.

The popular, former two-term governor’s entrance into the Senate race — for a seat Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is leaving open with his announcement last month that he won’t seek reelection — is likely to transform the Senate race into the most competitive of 2026. Democrats, facing a difficult path to seizing control of the Senate next year, landed their dream recruit with Cooper, who would enter the race as a favorite.

North Carolina represents one of the few offensive opportunities for Democrats, who are locked out of power at every level in Washington.

Lara Trump, President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, is considering her own bid for the seat. Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who served as the head of the state’s party, is also interested but is deferring to Trump, POLITICO reported last month.


https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/23/roy-cooper-to-jump-into-north-carolina-senate-race-monday-00471153

[W_HAMILTON]

1. Woohoo! Great to hear!

This would be a chance to flip a seat -- and I wouldn't be surprised to see it actually go "lean Democratic" with Cooper running.

[WarGamer]

9. Agreed... 100%

[tritsofme]

2. This is a huge recruiting coup for Schumer and Senate Democrats.

[Traildogbob]

5. 👏👏

Hope Copper sends Lara Trump back to the Pedi recruiting Florida motel/golf club Hell. Where her and Malania can screens trumps victims. Ole Mel and Maxwell were deep in it all, and Lara can fill in until Maxwell Pardon. She can take that old racist bag Foxx with her, she may be as young as trump can ever buy again. Allegedly!!!!🤮🤮😵😵😵‍💫😵‍💫

[barbtries]

16. does she even live here?

i had no idea that anyone from that criminal perverted family lived in NC

[dsc]

18. She went to ecu

[barbtries]

25. okay. that doesn't answer the question.

i googled it, and the answer is no, she does not.
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article309801765.html
If she runs for Senate, Lara Trump would need to move back to NC by this fall

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article309801765.html#storylink=cpy

[stollen]

3. Cooper did an excellence job during Helene

Especially co sideline the Trump lies he had to deal with inre FEMA.

[Celerity]

4. Yes!

[SSJVegeta]

6. Thats one likely pickup hopefully

Where are the rest?

[Ars Longa]

7. Just one word....YES!!! n/t

[WarGamer]

8. Trump v Cooper would certainly set the record for the most expensive Senate election in history.

[Celerity]

22. The 2024 OH Senate race, most expensive in history: $441 million in spending between the candidates and PACs

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/ohio-race-for-u-s-senate-this-year-rated-as-most-expensive-in-the-country

[WarGamer]

24. With the stakes being so high... I think the Cooper race would surpass it.

[Sneederbunk]

10. A quality candidate.

[Cha]

11. Good on the two term Gov of NC, Roy Cooper!

I can't imagine North Carolina wants anyone named fucking trump representing them.

[Demovictory9]

12. Thx for positive news

[Katinfl]

13. Back in NC since 2005, I would love to vote for Cooper.

[Passages]

14. Kick

[bronxiteforever]

15. Yay! Great News! Let's win the Senate.n/t

[Mira]

17. NC immigrant (now native)v here

I am thrilled.
He has been such a responsive, committed Governor. A Democrat to the core.
I will be working my butt off for him to win this seat.

[themaguffin]

19. Awesome news!

[GoodRaisin]

20. Outstanding!

[Buddyzbuddy]

21. Excellent. I was hoping he would run for Senate.

[Tarheel_Dem]

23. This is what I've been waiting to hear!