The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated October 27, 2026. Election rules, candidate fields, and poll numbers change; confirm the latest details with the linked official source before you vote.
Roy Cooper at a glance
Quick facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Party | Democratic |
| Office sought | U.S. Senate, North Carolina |
| Current office | None; former Governor of North Carolina (2017–2025) |
| Campaign website |
Biography
Cooper served as governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. A governor signs or vetoes legislation, runs state agencies, and proposes a budget, so his record covers eight years of state administration.
Before that, he served as the state's attorney general. The attorney general represents state agencies in court. He left office in 2025 and is now seeking federal office. His record is entirely at the state level.
Policy positions
This section describes the federal issues a North Carolina senator votes on and points to Cooper's campaign for his own positions. We do not put a specific position in a candidate's mouth without a source.
The economy and jobs
Pew Research Center's September 28–October 4, 2026 survey found that 84 percent of voters call the economy very important. The Senate votes on federal spending, trade, and tax law. His campaign is the source for his own economic proposals.
Health care
The Senate votes on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, and states share the cost of Medicaid. His campaign is the source for his own health-care proposals.
Abortion
Abortion law is now set mainly by states, but the Senate votes on federal legislation and on judicial nominees. His campaign is the source for his own position.
Education and workforce
Public schools and universities are funded mainly at the state level, while the Senate votes on federal student aid and research funding. His campaign is the source for his own education proposals.
Democracy and elections
Senators vote on federal election law and confirm the judges who hear election cases. His campaign is the source for his own position.
The 2026 race
Cooper faces Republican Michael Whatley, a former chair of the Republican National Committee. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The North Carolina voting guide lists the registration and early-voting deadlines that come first.
Republicans hold 53 Senate seats and Democrats hold 47. Democrats need a net gain of four to reach 51, and a 50–50 chamber would be controlled by Republicans because the vice president breaks ties. North Carolina is one of the states that decides whether that math is possible.
The contrast is a former governor with a state record against a former party chair. Our North Carolina Senate race hub tracks the matchup, the people desk lists every profile, and the Senate hub tracks the fight for the majority.
Polls and money
This profile does not publish poll numbers because we have not verified a specific survey for this race. Polling averages change daily; see the 270toWin Senate tracker.
Campaign finance figures change with each filing. The Federal Election Commission publishes reports at fec.gov.
Endorsements
No endorsements are listed on this page. Endorsements are listed as they are announced; see the campaign website. We name the endorser when the campaign or a major outlet confirms one.
Controversies and scrutiny
No controversy is documented in the source material for this profile. The public record is covered by the governor's office and the Associated Press, both linked below. We do not speculate beyond that record.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Roy Cooper governor?
He served from 2017 to 2025. Before that, he was North Carolina's attorney general.
What party is Roy Cooper?
Democratic. He is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
What does Roy Cooper stand for?
His campaign materials are the source for his issue positions. This profile describes the federal issues the Senate handles and does not paraphrase a position without a sourced statement.
Is Roy Cooper running for Senate in 2026?
Yes. He is the Democratic candidate in North Carolina and faces Republican Michael Whatley. See the North Carolina Senate race hub for the full matchup.
Sources
- Office of the Governor of North Carolina — official state site. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
- State of North Carolina — state government portal. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
- Associated Press — wire coverage. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
- 270toWin: 2026 Senate elections. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
- Federal Election Commission — campaign finance filings. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
Last updated October 27, 2026. This profile is updated as sourced information becomes available.