Cooper wins Senate seat in North Carolina
The former governor secured the first Democratic victory in the state’s Senate race since 2008.
By Jack Weber ·
The 2026 midterm elections concluded Tuesday with a decisive shift in power on the national stage. Democrats captured both chambers of Congress, marking a major loss for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
In North Carolina, former Governor Roy Cooper defeated Michael Whatley to claim the U.S. Senate seat. This win flipped a Republican-held district and ended a 18-year streak of Republican control in the state’s Senate races. The last Democrat to hold that position was elected in 2008.
Cooper succeeded Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican who chose not to run for reelection. Whatley, who served as chairman of the Republican National Committee, campaigned with the full endorsement of President Trump. Despite that backing, Cooper’s campaign centered on affordability, specifically targeting high costs in groceries, housing, and energy.
The national tally shows Democrats flipped seven Senate seats and gained more than two dozen House seats. The party also expanded its presence in governors' offices across the country. Victories in traditionally Republican states like Kansas, Texas, and South Carolina contributed to the overall Democratic surge.
Economic frustrations drove much of the voter turnout. Inflation and the cost of living remained top concerns, alongside dissatisfaction with Trump’s tariff policies and the administration's management of the war with Iran. The results suggest voters sought a change in direction from the current executive branch.
For the Republican Party, the losses represent a steep challenge for the final two years of Trump's presidency. Several endorsed Republican candidates fell short, raising questions about the president's influence on down-ballot races. In North Carolina, Cooper’s win coincided with Democratic gains in congressional and state legislative contests.
The election results confirmed a rapid change in the balance of power in Washington. Democrats now hold the majority in both the House and the Senate, positioning them to challenge the president's legislative agenda and expand congressional oversight of the administration.
