Roy Cooper Projected Winner in North Carolina Senate Race
Democrat Roy Cooper is the projected winner of the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina against Republican Michael Whatley, according to election night reporting from WLOS.
Cooper takes the seat previously held by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, in a race that could give Democrats a pickup in the fight for control of the U.S. Senate. The former two-term governor, who served from 2017 to 2025 following 16 years as the state’s attorney general, focused heavily on an affordability platform titled “Make Stuff Cost Less.” That policy framework includes proposals addressing groceries, healthcare, housing, child care, and utility bills.
Whatley entered the race as the former chairman of the Republican National Committee with an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Cooper Addresses Rising Energy Costs in Asheville
During a March campaign stop at RAD Brewing Company in Asheville, Cooper addressed rising energy costs with local business owners. His proposals include requiring large data centers to pay the full cost of their power use and preventing utility shutoffs during extreme heat or cold.
North Carolina voters previously elected Cooper as governor in 2016 and 2020, during the same election cycles that the state chose Donald Trump for president.
Election Night Coverage in Raleigh
WLOS reporter Elijah Skipper covered Cooper’s election-night gathering in Raleigh, providing updates and local reaction to viewers across Sinclair stations in North Carolina and through The National News Desk.
Polls across the state closed at 7:30 p.m., though anyone in line at their assigned polling place by that time could still vote.
More on North Carolina
BREAKING: Democrat Roy Cooper wins North Carolina Senate race, taking it from Republicans pic.twitter.com/XUuk8SFn7q
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