2026 Midterm Primaries: Cooper and Whatley Set for North Carolina Senate Clash, Texas Heads to Runoff

The first major contests of the 2026 midterm election season concluded on Tuesday, setting the stage for pivotal Senate races in North Carolina, and Texas. The results reveal emerging tensions surrounding voting rules and offer early insights into the political landscape ahead of the November elections.

North Carolina Senate Race: Cooper vs. Whatley

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, while Michael Whatley, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, won the Republican primary. This matchup is considered crucial, as it will play a significant role in determining control of the Senate. Cooper, who served as governor from 2017 to 2025, has a history of winning statewide elections and is viewed as a moderate Democrat. Whatley’s campaign benefited from an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

Texas Senate Primary: Cornyn and Paxton to Face Runoff

In Texas, incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn will face a runoff election against state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Neither candidate secured the 50% of the vote needed to win the nomination outright. The runoff is scheduled for May 26th. Paxton positioned himself as more aligned with the “Develop America Great Again” movement, drawing support away from Cornyn. On the Democratic side, the primary between state Representative James Talarico and U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett remains unresolved due to voter confusion and legal challenges related to polling locations.

Voting Rule Tensions

The Texas primary highlighted tensions over voting rules, with a court battle arising from confusion regarding polling locations in Dallas and Williamson counties. A court initially allowed polls to remain open late in those counties, but the state attorney general, Ken Paxton, appealed the ruling to the state supreme court.

Broader Implications

These primary elections in Texas and North Carolina are setting the stage for competitive Senate races that will be closely watched as indicators of the broader political mood heading into the November midterm elections. The outcomes will significantly impact the balance of power in the Senate.