Roy Cooper Wins North Carolina Democratic Senate Primary
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has won the Democratic primary for an open U.S. Senate seat, positioning him to challenge for the Republican-held seat this fall. Cooper, who previously served two terms as governor, emerged as the dominant figure in the Democratic field against five other candidates. He will face former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley, who has secured the Republican nomination with an endorsement from President Donald Trump. This race is anticipated to be one of the most closely watched Senate contests of 2026.
John Q. Hosedrinker