Republican Warns of 'Knife Fight' for Senate Seat as Roy Cooper Enters Race
Outgoing Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, warned that the battle for his seat will be a "knife fight in a telephone booth" as former Democratic North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper threw his name into the race on Monday.
Why It Matters
The Senate election in North Carolina, a battleground roughly evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, will likely be one of the most competitive races of the 2026 midterms, particularly after Tillis opted against running for another term.
Historically, the party in the White House loses seats during the midterms, so Democrats are hopeful President Donald Trump's approval rating, which most polls suggest has dropped in recent months, could give them an advantage despite a challenging map. But federal races in North Carolina have proven elusive for Democrats, who have not won the state at either the Senate or presidential level since 2008.
Cooper is viewed as a strong recruit for Democrats as he enjoyed strong approval ratings during his tenure leading the state.
What To Know
Cooper, who served as North Carolina's governor from 2017 to 2025 and previously held four terms as attorney general, ended months of speculation on Monday, and is now the latest candidate to seek the Democratic nomination for Tillis' seat.
"I have thought on it and prayed about it, and I have decided: I am running to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina," Cooper said in a video posted to X.
I have thought on it and prayed about it, and I have decided: I am running to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/jXvuioO1T0 — Roy Cooper (@RoyCooperNC) July 28, 2025
Tillis spoke to the outlet NOTUS last week on the potential for Cooper to enter the race against Michael Whatley, the Republican National Committee (RNC) chair, who is endorsed by Trump but has yet to formally enter the race.
"It's going to be a knife fight in a telephone booth," Tillis said about the potential match-up.
NOTUS reported that Tillis also said he hopes Whatley is up for the challenge of running.
Cooper has touted his record of bipartisan governance, Medicaid expansion in 2023, and efforts to raise teacher pay, while asserting that the stakes for the middle class, healthcare, and economic policy are higher than ever.
Polling has shown a statistical tie between Cooper and a generic Republican candidate, with each side holding 48 percent support among likely voters, according to a recent survey from co/efficient.
Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, takes the elevator at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 30 in Washington, D.C.
Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, takes the elevator at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 30 in Washington, D.C.What People Are Saying
Political science professor at Columbia University, Robert Y. Shapiro, told Newsweek via email Monday: "I can only say the obvious: The Democrats were looking for him to run. He is seen as a more moderate Democrat and he has shown he can win a major election already in the state as governor. He was considered a possible vice-presidential running mate for Kamala Harris. So has the requisite political and governing experience to win another statewide election."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday: "To the Great People of North Carolina, one of the most capable executives in our Country successfully ran, along with Lara Trump, the Republican National Committee. He happens to live in your incredible State, which I love, and won, including Primaries, six times in a row! My relationship with you has been fantastic, and only enhanced by the job I did after January 20th, when I took over the flood drenched areas that were abandoned by Sleepy Joe Biden and your Governor, and, through the infusion of money and hard work, fixed the problem like nobody else has the ability to do."
He continued: "The one that energized that project, and so many more, was the Chairman of the RNC, Michael Whatley. I am sending this Statement out for a very good reason. Mike would make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina. He is fantastic at everything he does, and he was certainly great at the RNC where, in the Presidential Election, we won every Swing State, the Popular Vote, and the Electoral College by a landslide! But I have a mission for my friends in North Carolina, and that is to get Michael Whatley to run for the U.S. Senate. He is STRONG on the Border, stopping Crime, supporting our Military/Veterans, cutting Taxes, and saving our always under siege Second Amendment."
"I need him in Washington, and I need him representing YOU! Fortunately, I have somebody who will do a wonderful job as the Chairman of the RNC," Trump concluded. "His name is, Joe Gruters, and he will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. So, should Michael Whatley run for the Senate, please let this notification represent my Complete and Total Endorsement. HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"
What Happens Next?
The primaries are scheduled for March 2026.
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