Overview
- Roy Cooper announced his bid on July 28 to succeed retiring Sen. Thom Tillis, immediately becoming the Democratic front-runner in the open-seat race.
- Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley is poised to seek the GOP nomination with President Trump’s endorsement.
- Former Rep. Wiley Nickel is reportedly shifting toward a Wake County district attorney run, clearing the path for Cooper’s nomination.
- Inside Elections rates the North Carolina Senate contest as a toss-up in a state Trump won by three points in 2024.
- Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand have emphasized that flipping this seat is essential for Democrats to overcome Republicans’ narrow majority.