Cooper becomes first Democrat to win US Senate race in NC since 2008

Former Gov. Roy Cooper has secured North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, becoming the first Democrat to win a Senate election in the Tar Heel State since 2008. He appears to have defeated Republican Michael Whatley by nearly 20 points, 59% to 39%, in unofficial returns as of midnight Tueesday.

The Associated Press called the race for Cooper around 8:25 p.m., just 10 minutes after the first vote totals were reported.

“Tonight, guys, we told Washington loud and clear that North Carolinians will always matter more than the billionaires and the insiders,” Cooper said, addressing his supporters in Raleigh. “Tonight we showed the country that when everyday people come together, we can make change.”

Whatley conceded about 10 minutes later. 

“I want to thank the people from across this great state who have entrusted me with their vote. While the results today are not what we’ve been working for, my commitment to you and this great state remains as strong as ever,” Whatley said in his concession speech at his election event in Gastonia.

Cooper is no stranger to winning statewide elections: He won two terms as governor and four as attorney general. Now, that success is translating to the federal level.

The race could play a role in control of the U.S. Senate. With a 53-47 split, Democrats need a net gain of four seats to flip the chamber. 

Cooper consistently polled ahead of Whatley, often by double digits, in a state President Donald Trump won three times. The former governor campaigned under his “Make Stuff Cost Less” slogan, holding events all over North Carolina.

Whatley is a former chair of the Republican National Committee and North Carolina Republican Party. He closely aligned himself with President Donald Trump, who endorsed him in the GOP primary. But he had never run for public office before, and struggled with name recognition. 

Election forecaster Cook Political Report moved the race from “lean Democratic” to “likely Democratic” on Oct. 6. 

Over the past two months, Republicans deployed Trump twice and Vice President JD Vance three times to the state. They aimed to shore up support for Whatley and GOP candidates down the ballot, but it wasn’t enough. 

Cooper will succeed retiring GOP U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis. That makes Cooper North Carolina’s junior senator, where he will serve alongside Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Budd beginning in January.

County boards of election must still count provisional ballots, some absentee ballots, and military ballots, which don’t have to be in until 5 p.m. Nov. 12.

Voters and candidates may also file election protests alleging illegalities or irregularities. 

County boards of election are scheduled to meet on Nov. 13 to certify election results.