Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has defeated former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, flipping a key Senate seat previously held by Republicans and bolstering Democratic efforts to recapture the Senate majority. The Fox News Decision Desk projected Cooper's victory in the closely watched race.
Cooper, a Democrat, secured his seventh consecutive statewide victory, having previously won four terms as attorney general and two as governor. His win in North Carolina, a crucial battleground state, is seen as a significant gain for his party.
Top Republican-aligned groups had previously withdrawn spending from the North Carolina race a month prior, signaling a waning confidence in Whatley's chances. This decision was interpreted as an acknowledgment that Republicans no longer saw a clear path to victory in the state.
During a rally two weeks before the election, former President Donald Trump, a close ally of Whatley, appeared to acknowledge the challenging situation for his candidate, remarking that Cooper would likely win and represent North Carolina in Washington.
Cooper campaigned on issues such as the cost of living and healthcare. He stated his intention to be a "strong, independent senator" who would collaborate with President Trump when possible and oppose him when necessary.
Whatley, a North Carolina native and former state GOP chair, was a first-time candidate for the Senate. He had pledged to focus on job creation, wage growth, cost reduction, and community safety, positioning himself as an ally to Trump.
The seat was vacated by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced in June of the previous year that he would not seek re-election. Trump had previously expressed optimism about Lara Trump, a North Carolina native and former RNC co-chair, potentially running for the open seat, but she ultimately decided not to pursue it.