Democrat Roy Cooper has secured a win in the North Carolina Senate race against Republican Michael Whatley, flipping a GOP-held seat. Cooper, who has served as the state's governor, consistently widened his lead in polls throughout the campaign. He will take office in January, becoming the first Democrat to represent North Carolina in the Senate in over a decade. The election was marked by Cooper's focus on affordability and criticism of Republican policies, while Whatley aligned himself with former President Trump's agenda.
Key facts
- Roy Cooper defeated Michael Whatley in the North Carolina Senate race.
- Cooper has been the state's governor for two terms.
- He will take office in January 2027.
- This marks the first Democrat Senate seat in North Carolina in over a decade.
- Thom Tillis, the incumbent Republican, chose not to seek reelection.
A short AI summary in our own words. The reporting belongs to Axios; we don't reproduce it. You can compare how outlets framed this story below.