Former Governor Roy Cooper has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, joining Trump-backed RNC Chair Michael Whatley in what is expected to be a costly campaign.

The Democrat's announcement comes in the wake of incumbent Republican Senator Thom Tillis' decision to not run for re-election in 2026. Due to his successes in statewide elections, Cooper has proven himself to be a strong Democratic candidate in North Carolina. He served as attorney general for 16 years before being elected governor in 2016.

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper Saturday night gave his strongest indication yet that he would seek an open U.S. Senate seat next year while speaking at a state Democratic Party event in Raleigh.

Since Sen. Thom Tillis said he wouldn’t seek a third term, eyes have been on the former North Carolina governor to run in the Democratic primary.

RNC chair Michael Whatley will run for Senate seat in North Carolina after Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump opted to stay at Fox News.