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 a third term.
Considered vulnerable to a primary challenge due to his moderate positions, Tillis announced he would run for re-election, 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% and 3.2%, 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,State Board of Elections. General election results for Federal offices, 2024. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived at Web Archive. 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.
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. 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. The following day, Tillis announced that he would not seek re-election.
Candidates Nominee Michael Whatley, former chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025)
Eliminated in primary Don Brown, attorney, author, and candidate for in 2024 Richard Dansie, IT security engineer Thomas Johnson, businessman Michele Morrow, former nurse and nominee for North Carolina superintendent of public instruction in 2024 Elizabeth Temple, teacher and candidate for North Carolina's 28th House district in 2024
Withdrawn Brooks Agnew, author Andy Nilsson, retired business owner and high school football coach Thom Tillis, incumbent U.S. senator (2015–present)
Disqualified Margot Dupre, real estate brokerWRAL: Votes for Republican US Senate candidate won't count in 2026 primary, NC elections board rules Lichia Sibhatu, daycare owner and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022
Declined Pat Harrigan, U.S. representative from North Carolina's 10th congressional district (2025–present) (running for re-election) Richard Hudson, U.S. representative from North Carolina's 9th congressional district (2013–present) (running for re-election) Greg Murphy, U.S. representative from North Carolina's 3rd congressional district (2019–present) (running for re-election) Mark Robinson, former lieutenant governor of North Carolina (2021–2025) and nominee for governor in 2024 (endorsed Brown) Lara Trump, former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025) and daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump (endorsed Whatley) Mark Walker, principal advisor on global religious freedom to the State Department, former U.S. representative from (2015–2021), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022
Endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handDon Brown (R)$224,689$225,530$0Richard Dansie (R)$2,410$1,780$630Thomas Johnson (R)$6,720$4,627$0Michele Morrow (R)$12,714$12,036$678Michael Whatley (R)$8,410,252$5,881,909$2,528,343Source: Federal Election Commission
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DonBrown MicheleMorrow MichaelWhatley Other UndecidedHarper Polling (R)February 22–23, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%8%2%38%3%50%High Point UniversityFebruary 6–20, 2026 (LV)± 6.0%12%2%38%13%35%Change Research (D)January 5–7, 2026530 (LV)6%4%36%3%51%
Thom Tillis vs. Mark Robinson Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error ThomTillis MarkRobinson UndecidedCampaign Viability Research (R)November 13–15, 2024800 (LV)42%35%23%
Thom Tillis vs. "Someone Else" Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error ThomTillis SomeoneElse UndecidedCampaign Viability Research (R)November 13–15, 2024800 (LV)31%36%33%
Thom Tillis vs. Lara Trump Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error ThomTillis LaraTrump UndecidedVictory Insights (R)November 26–29, 2024800 (LV)11%65%25%
Results
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. Nickel cited Cooper's executive experience and electoral strength as reasons for his endorsement.
Candidates Nominee Roy Cooper, former governor of North Carolina (2017–2025)
Eliminated in primary Robert Colon, family caregiver and perennial candidate Justin Dues, tech consultant and nominee for North Carolina's 8th congressional district in 2024 Daryl Farrow, businessman and nominee for in 2020 Orrick Quick, pastor Marcus Williams, attorney and perennial candidate
Withdrawn Wiley Nickel, former U.S. representative from (2023–2025) (endorsed Cooper, running for Wake County district attorney)
Disqualified Alyssia Hammond, hospitality worker and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022
Declined Don Davis, U.S. representative from North Carolina's 1st congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election) Jeff Jackson, attorney general of North Carolina (2025–present) (endorsed Cooper) 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)
Endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handRoy Cooper (D)$26,822,373$8,366,910$18,455,463Marcus Williams (D)$5,656$5,656$0Source: Federal Election Commission
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RobertColon RoyCooper JustinDues DarylFarrow MarcusWilliams Other UndecidedHigh Point UniversityFebruary 6–20, 2026 (LV)± 6.0%3%78%3%2%2%0%14%
Results
Libertarian primary Candidates Nominee Shannon Bray, cybersecurity professional and perennial candidate
Green primary Candidates Nominee Michael Dublin, teacher and nominee for North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in 2024
Disqualified Brian McGinnis, anti-war activist, Marine veteran, and firefighter
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handMichael Dublin (G)$23,377$4,245$20,873Source: Federal Election Commission
Independents Candidates Disqualified Lee Brian Shaunesi DeBerry, social media personality Yuhong Dong Travis Herlocker Connie Johnson, pastor and perennial candidate (Democratic Party of Federalists) Michele Palmer Parks (write-in) Geoffrey Shull
General election Campaign
The Senate Leadership Fund—first reported by Semafor in October 2026—canceled a pledged $30 million in expenditures from Whatley's campaign to redirect support for Senator Roger Marshall's 2026 re-election campaign in Kansas. Since 2025, the political action committee has spent $71 million on advertisements, largely focusing on crime and public safety.
Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportOctober 6, 2026Decision Desk HQOctober 2, 2026The EconomistOctober 3, 2026FiftyPlusOneOctober 3, 2026Fox NewsOctober 6, 2026Inside ElectionsOctober 1, 2026RealClearPoliticsOctober 5, 2026Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 22, 2026Silver BulletinOctober 6, 2026Split TicketOctober 3, 2026
Post-primary endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handRoy Cooper (D)$34,975,789$14,258,222$20,717,567Michael Whatley (R)$11,272,504$7,810,806$3,461,698Michael Dublin (G)$25,276$16,990$10,027Shannon Bray (L)$0$0$0Source: Federal Election Commission
Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdatedMichaelWhatley (R)RoyCooper (D)Other/UndecidedMargin270toWinSeptember 23 – 30, 2026September 30, 202641.5%50.7%7.8%Cooper +9.2%Decision Desk HQthrough September 29, 2026October 1, 202639.1%48.7%12.2%Cooper +9.6%FiftyPlusOnethrough September 29, 2026October 1, 202640.7%50.7%8.6%Cooper +10.0%RealClearPoliticsSeptember 6 – 29, 2026September 30, 202640.8%49.8%9.4%Cooper +9.0%Silver Bulletinthrough September 22, 2026September 30, 202641.5%50.7%7.8%Cooper +9.2%Average40.7%50.1%9.2%Cooper +9.4%