North Carolina Democrats are actively seeking to recruit former Gov. Roy Cooper to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. Party officials believe Cooper represents their strongest opportunity to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis in what is anticipated to be a highly competitive election.
The 2026 midterm cycle is generally viewed as favorable terrain for the party not holding the White House. This dynamic, coupled with Tillis potentially facing a challenging primary from the right, has Democrats hopeful about their prospects in the state, which has not elected a Democrat to a federal statewide office since 2008.
Roy Cooper served two terms as governor and previously spent 16 years as the state’s attorney general. Democrats point to his undefeated electoral record as a major asset. While Cooper is currently teaching at Harvard University through May, Republicans are already analyzing his tenure as governor in anticipation of a potential bid.
Sources close to the former governor indicate he is expected to make a decision on a Senate run in May or June, though one source suggested he might wait until the end of the year. Democrats nationally are watching closely, placing Cooper alongside Maine's Janet Mills and Ohio's Sherrod Brown as top recruits crucial for the party's goal of winning a Senate majority.
Former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel has already formally launched his campaign for the Democratic nomination. Nickel recently reported raising about $20,000 in the first fundraising quarter of the year, ending March 31, and has approximately $520,000 cash on hand.
Tillis, seeking his third term, holds a significant financial advantage as the incumbent. He reported raising around $2.2 million in the same period, ending with just over $4 million in the bank. However, Tillis has drawn criticism from some in the MAGA wing of the party and could face primary challengers, including lawyer Don Brown and former lieutenant governor candidate Andy Nilsson.
Should Roy Cooper decide against a run, other Democrats mentioned as potential candidates include Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, and former EPA director Michael Regan. Any of these candidates would face the challenge of matching Cooper's name recognition and fundraising potential.
The North Carolina contest is seen as one of the best pickup opportunities for Democrats in 2026, along with potential races in Maine and Ohio. Republicans, however, counter that Tillis has won tough races before and remains well-positioned, regardless of the Democratic opponent.
As David Nir, publisher of The Downballot, noted, "As strong as Roy Cooper and Janet Mills might be, other Democrats and their allies have won statewide in both North Carolina and Maine in recent years."