2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina
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The 2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of North Carolina. Republican former party chair Michael Whatley and Democratic former governor Roy Cooper are the nominees for their respective parties. Republican incumbent Thom Tillis is not seeking re-election to a third term.
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November 3, 2026
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Considered vulnerable to a primary challenge due to his moderate positions, Tillis announced he would run for another term, but withdrew after voting against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Whatley, who emerged as the Republican frontrunner after being endorsed by President Donald Trump, won the nomination with 64.6% of the vote over author Don Brown. Cooper won the Democratic nomination with 92% of the vote, facing minimal opposition. Democrats have not won a Senate election in North Carolina since 2008.
Background
A swing state, North Carolina is considered to be a purple to slightly red Southern state at the federal level. It was also a top battleground state in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. The state backed Donald Trump in both elections by 1.3%[1] and 3.2%,[2] respectively.
Both parties have seen success in the state in recent years. Republicans control both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly and hold a majority in North Carolina's U.S. House delegation,[3] as well as both of the state's U.S. Senate seats. In 2024, Democrats won half of the state's executive offices, flipping a net of one seat from Republicans.[4]
As an open seat in a swing state, North Carolina is considered a top battleground in deciding control of the Senate in 2026.[5]
Republican primary
Senator Thom Tillis was considered vulnerable to a primary challenger from his right. On June 10, 2023, the North Carolina Republican Party voted to censure Tillis for his support for the Respect for Marriage Act and immigration reform attempts.[6][7] On June 28, 2025, President Donald Trump stated he was considering backing a primary challenger after Tillis voted against a motion to consider the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.[8] The following day, Tillis announced that he would not seek re-election.[9]
Candidates
Nominee
- Michael Whatley, former chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025)[10]
Eliminated in primary
- Don Brown, attorney, author, and candidate for North Carolina's 8th congressional district in 2024[11]
- Richard Dansie, IT security engineer[12]
- Thomas Johnson, businessman[13]
- Michele Morrow, former nurse and nominee for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2024[14]
- Elizabeth Temple, teacher and candidate for North Carolina's 28th House district in 2024[15]
Withdrawn
- Andy Nilsson, retired business owner and high school football coach[16]
- Thom Tillis, incumbent U.S. senator (2015–present)[9]
Disqualified
Declined
- Pat Harrigan, U.S. representative from North Carolina's 10th congressional district (2025–present)[19] (running for re-election)
- Richard Hudson, U.S. representative from North Carolina's 9th congressional district (2013–present)[20] (running for re-election)
- Greg Murphy, U.S. representative from North Carolina's 3rd congressional district (2019–present)[21] (running for re-election)
- Mark Robinson, former lieutenant governor of North Carolina (2021–2025) and nominee for governor in 2024[22] (endorsed Brown)[23]
- Lara Trump, former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025) and daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump[24] (endorsed Whatley)[25]
- Mark Walker, Principal Advisor on Global Religious Freedom to the State Department, former U.S. representative from North Carolina's 6th congressional district (2015–2021), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022[26]
Endorsements
Don Brown
- Executive branch officials
- William Boykin, former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (2002–2007)[27]
- Michael Flynn, former United States National Security Advisor (2017) and Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (2012–2014)[27]
- U.S. representatives
- Allen West, former FL-22 (2011–2013)[27]
- Statewide officials
- Mark Robinson, former lieutenant governor of North Carolina (2021–2025)[23]
- Individuals
- Sidney Powell, attorney and former federal prosecutor[27]
Michael Whatley
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[28]
- U.S senators
- John Thune, Senate Majority Leader (2025–present) from South Dakota (2005–present)[28]
- Tim Scott, South Carolina (2013–present)[28]
- Party officials
- Lara Trump, former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025) and daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump[25]
- Organizations
- Newspapers
Thom Tillis (withdrawn)
- U.S. senators
- Jim Banks, Indiana (2025–present)[34]
- John Barrasso, Wyoming (2007–present)[34]
- John Boozman, Arkansas (2011–present)[34]
- Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia (2015–present)[34]
- Bill Cassidy, Louisiana (2015–present)[34]
- Mike Crapo, Idaho (1999–present)[34]
- Tom Cotton, Arkansas (2015–present)[34]
- Steve Daines, Montana (2015–present)[34]
- Joni Ernst, Iowa (2015–present)[34]
- Deb Fischer, Nebraska (2013–present)[34]
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa (1981–present)[34]
- James Lankford, Oklahoma (2015–present)[34]
- Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming (2021–present)[34]
- Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma (2023–present)[34]
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska (2002–present)[34]
- Pete Ricketts, Nebraska (2023–present)[34]
- Mike Rounds, South Dakota (2015–present)[35]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of February 11, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Don Brown (R) | $187,238 | $164,131 | $23,947 |
| Richard Dansie (R) | $2,410 | $1,780 | $630 |
| Thomas Johnson (R) | $5,400 | $3,307 | $464 |
| Michele Morrow (R) | $10,720 | $5,472 | $5,248 |
| Michael Whatley (R) | $6,272,873 | $3,745,288 | $2,527,585 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[36] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Don Brown |
Michele Morrow |
Michael Whatley |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harper Polling (R)[37][A] | February 22–23, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 8% | 2% | 38% | 3%[c] | 50% |
| High Point University[38] | February 6–20, 2026 | – (LV) | ± 6.0% | 12% | 2% | 38% | 13%[d] | 35% |
| Change Research (D)[39][40][B] | January 5–7, 2026 | 530 (LV) | – | 6% | 4% | 36% | 3%[e] | 51% |
Hypothetical polling
Thom Tillis vs. Mark Robinson
Thom Tillis vs. "Someone Else"
Thom Tillis vs. Lara Trump
Results
Whatley
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70-80%
Whatley
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70-80%
- 80-90%
- >90%
Brown
- 20-30%
- 30-40%
- 40-50%
- 50-60%
- 60-70%
- >90%
Johnson
- 30-40%
- 40-50%
- 50-60%
- 60-70%
- >90%
Morrow
- 40-50%
- 50-60%
- 60-70%
- 70-80%
Temple
- 40-50%
- >90%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Whatley | 405,140 | 64.6 | |
| Republican | Don Brown | 97,891 | 15.6 | |
| Republican | Thomas Johnson | 35,534 | 5.7 | |
| Republican | Michele Morrow | 35,065 | 5.6 | |
| Republican | Elizabeth Temple | 23,892 | 3.8 | |
| Republican | Richard Dansie | 14,996 | 2.4 | |
| Republican | Margot Dupre (Disqualified) | 14,886 | 2.4 | |
| Total votes | 627,404 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic primary
In 2025, Roy Cooper announced his candidacy for the United States Senate seat in the 2026 election. Shortly after his announcement, former U.S. Representative Wiley Nickel, who had previously entered the race, withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Cooper for the Democratic nomination.[43] Nickel cited Cooper’s executive experience and electoral strength as reasons for his endorsement.[44]
Candidates
Nominee
- Roy Cooper, former governor of North Carolina (2017–2025)[45]
Eliminated in primary
- Robert Colon, family caregiver and perennial candidate[46]
- Justin Dues, tech consultant and nominee for North Carolina's 8th congressional district in 2024[47]
- Daryl Farrow, businessman and nominee for North Carolina's 3rd congressional district in 2020[48]
- Orrick Quick, pastor[49]
- Marcus Williams, attorney and perennial candidate[50]
Withdrawn
- Wiley Nickel, former U.S. representative from North Carolina's 13th congressional district (2023–2025) (endorsed Cooper,[51] running for Wake County District Attorney)[52]
Declined
- Don Davis, U.S. representative from North Carolina's 1st congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[53]
- Jeff Jackson, attorney general of North Carolina (2025–present) (endorsed Cooper)[54]
- Deborah Ross, U.S. representative from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district (2021–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016 (endorsed Cooper, running for re-election)[55]
- Zeb Smathers, mayor of Canton (endorsed Cooper)[56]
Endorsements
Roy Cooper
- Executive branch officials
- Kamala Harris, former vice president of the United States (2021–2025)[45]
- U.S. senators
- Kirsten Gillibrand, New York (2009–present)[55]
- Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (2017–2021, 2025–present) from New York (1999–present)[55]
- U.S. representatives
- Wiley Nickel, former NC-13 (2023–2025)[51]
- Deborah Ross, NC-02 (2021–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016[55]
- Statewide officials
- Jeff Jackson, attorney general of North Carolina (2025–present)[54]
- Josh Stein, governor of North Carolina (2025–present)[57]
- Local officials
- Party officials
- Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party (2023–present)[57]
- Labor unions
- American Federation of Government Employees[59]
- National Education Association[60]
- North Carolina Association of Educators[60]
- Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of February 19, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Roy Cooper (D) | $21,070,823 | $6,842,849 | $14,227,974 |
| Marcus Williams (D) | $2,557 | $2,457 | $100 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[36] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Robert Colon |
Roy Cooper |
Justin Dues |
Daryl Farrow |
Marcus Williams |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Point University[38] | February 6–20, 2026 | – (LV) | ± 6.0% | 3% | 78% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 0%[f] | 14% |
Results
Cooper
- 80–90%
- 90–100%
Cooper
- 80–90%
- >90%
Cooper
- 30–40%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- >90%
Farrow
- 50-60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Roy Cooper | 761,345 | 92.0 | |
| Democratic | Justin Dues | 22,295 | 2.7 | |
| Democratic | Marcus Williams | 20,336 | 2.5 | |
| Democratic | Daryl Farrow | 9,727 | 1.2 | |
| Democratic | Orrick Quick | 7,275 | 0.9 | |
| Democratic | Robert Colon | 6,777 | 0.8 | |
| Total votes | 827,755 | 100.0 | ||
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Shannon Bray, cybersecurity professional and perennial candidate[70]
Green primary
Candidates
Disqualified
- Brian McGinnis, anti-war activist, Marine veteran, and firefighter[71]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[72] | Lean D (flip) | April 13, 2026 |
| Race To The WH[73] | Likely D (flip) | March 27, 2026 |
| Inside Elections[74] | Tossup | March 25, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[75] | Tossup | March 4, 2026 |
Post-primary endorsements
Michael Whatley (R)
- Executive branch officials
- JD Vance, vice president of the United States (2025–present)[76]
Brian McGinnis (G)
- Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Roy Cooper (D) | $26,822,373 | $8,366,910 | $18,455,463 |
| Michael Whatley (R) | $8,410,252 | $5,881,909 | $2,528,343 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[78] | |||
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Michael Whatley (R) |
Roy Cooper (D) |
Other/ |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race to the WH[79] | through April 24, 2026 | April 29, 2026 | 39.5% | 48.8% | 11.7% | Cooper +9.3% |
| 270toWin[80] | March 31 – April 29, 2026 | April 29, 2026 | 40.3% | 49.3% | 10.4% | Cooper +9.0% |
| RealClearPolitics[81] | January 31 – April 6, 2026 | April 16, 2026 | 42.2% | 49.0% | 8.8% | Cooper +6.8% |
| Average | 40.7% | 49.0% | 10.3% | Cooper +8.3% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Michael Whatley (R) |
Roy Cooper (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion Diagnostics (R)[82] | April 21–24, 2026 | 830 (V) | ± 3.5% | 41% | 50% | – | 9% |
| High Point University/YouGov[83] | March 26 – April 6, 2026 | 703 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 42% | 50% | 2%[h] | 6% |
| 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 39% | 49% | 3%[i] | 9% | ||
| Quantus Insights (R)[84] | March 31 – April 1, 2026 | 987 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 44% | 49% | 2% | 6% |
| Harper Polling (R)[85][A] | March 22–23, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 41% | 49% | 4%[j] | 6% |
| Catawba College/YouGov[86] | March 9–18, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 34% | 48% | 4%[k] | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[87] | March 13–14, 2026 | 556 (V) | ± 4.2% | 44% | 47% | – | 9% |
| Nexus Strategies/ Strategic Partners Solutions[88][C] |
March 8–9, 2026 | 800 (RV) | ± 3.5% | 32% | 50% | 4%[l] | 14% |
| Change Research (D)[89] | January 31 – February 4, 2026 | 1,069 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 40% | 50% | 4%[m] | 7% |
| TIPP Insights (R)[90][D] | January 12–15, 2026 | 1,512 (RV) | ± 2.7% | 24% | 48% | – | 27% |
| Change Research (D)[39][B] | January 5–7, 2026 | 1,105 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 42% | 47% | 1%[n] | 9% |
| Harper Polling (R)[91][A] | November 9–10, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 39% | 47% | 4%[j] | 10% |
| Harper Polling (R)[92][A] | September 14–15, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 46% | 4%[j] | 8% |
| Change Research (D)[93][B] | September 2–8, 2025 | 855 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 41% | 48% | – | 11% |
| Harper Polling (R)[94][A] | August 11–12, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 39% | 47% | 4%[j] | 10% |
| Emerson College[95] | July 28–30, 2025 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 41% | 47% | – | 12% |
| Victory Insights (R)[96] | July 28–30, 2025 | 600 (LV) | – | 40% | 43% | – | 16% |
| 44%[o] | 44% | – | 12% |
Hypothetical polling
Don Brown vs. Roy Cooper
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Don Brown (R) |
Roy Cooper (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harper Polling (R)[91][A] | November 9–10, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 38% | 48% | 4%[j] | 10% |
Thom Tillis vs. Roy Cooper
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Thom Tillis (R) |
Roy Cooper (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change Research (D)[97][B] | March 31 – April 4, 2025 | 867 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 44% | 46% | – | 10% |
| 45%[o] | 48% | 2%[p] | 5% | ||||
| Public Policy Polling (D)[98] | March 4–5, 2025 | 662 (V) | ± 3.8% | 43% | 47% | – | 9% |
| Victory Insights (R)[42] | November 26–29, 2024 | 800 (LV) | – | 44% | 45% | – | 11% |
Lara Trump vs. Roy Cooper
Notes
- Dupre still appeared on the primary ballot.
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - Dupre, Johnson, and Temple with 1%; Dansie with <1%
- Dansie with 5%; Dupre and Temple with 3%; Johnson with 2%
- "Would not vote" with 3%
- Orrick Quick with 0%
- Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- "Someone else/another party" with 2%
- "Someone else/another party" with 3%
- "Someone else" with 4%
- Shannon Bray (L) with 4%; "Other candidate" with 0%
- Shannon Bray (L) with 4%.
- "Would not vote" with 4%
- "Would not vote" with 1%
- With voters who lean towards a given candidate
- "Would not vote" with 2%
Partisan clients