Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper clinches North Carolina Senate nod in primary race

Описание: (4 Mar 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

++MUSIC AT SOURCE++
++SOUNDBITE SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Raleigh, North Carolina - 3 March 2026
1. Various of Former Democratic North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and wife Kristin Cooper on stage ++MUSIC AT SOURCE++
++BLACK FRAMES++
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Roy Cooper, Former Democratic North Carolina Governor:
"It is so great to be with you tonight. I'm humbled and excited to accept the Democratic nomination to become North Carolina's next United States Senator."
++BLACK FRAMES++
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Roy Cooper, Former Democratic North Carolina Governor:
"So guys, we know we've got our work here and it's just beginning. We have a long way to go until November. Hey, but if you want change in Washington, do you?
Crowd:
Yes!
"This campaign is for you. If you want to toss out the D.C. Insiders, do ya? This campaign is for you!"
++BLACK FRAMES++
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Roy Cooper, Former Democratic North Carolina Governor:
"But now, a new challenge awaits. I'll take that same problem-solving to Washington that I used here in North Carolina to focus on what matters. My opponent, who just won his primary tonight, is an out-of-touch D.C. Insider and big oil lobbyist who's only looking out for himself and his well-connected friends in Washington."
++BLACK FRAMES++
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Roy Cooper, Former Democratic North Carolina Governor:
"Let me tell you who I'll be. I'll a strong, independent senator who will work with this president when I can and stand up to him when the people need me to. I will always always put the people of the North Carolina first, before politics, before party."
6. Mid of Coopers hugging with each other and waving at the supporters ++MUSIC AT SOURCE++
STORYLINE:
Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and ex-Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley each won their party’s U.S. Senate nominations in North Carolina on Tuesday, setting the bout for a fall campaign that could determine control of the chamber.

Whatley and Cooper were victorious in their respective primary elections over crowded fields seeking the seat being vacated by Thom Tillis, who chose last June not to seek a third term. The two announced their candidacies weeks later and had been essentially ignoring intraparty rivals and their respective sides, going after each other almost daily.

Cooper’s race entry brought optimism to Democrats aiming to take back the Senate this year with a net gain of four seats. Democrats view the most likely path as winning in North Carolina, Maine, Alaska and Ohio. With Cooper, Democrats have a popular two-term governor who served 24 consecutive years in statewide office.

Whatley, who is also a former state GOP chairman, entered the race when President Donald Trump endorsed him after Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, declined to run. Donald Trump won North Carolina in all three of his presidential elections.

Tillis’ decision not to seek a third term came as the president called publicly for a primary challenge to him because of his opposition to Trump’s big tax breaks bill, particularly for the Medicaid cuts contained within.

Cooper, 68, formally entered the race weeks later, as did Whatley, who was buoyed for the nomination by Trump’s backing.

While Cooper currently has a significant fundraising advantage so far over Whatley, both are skilled solicitors within the donor class of their respective parties. Political experts say a rush of outside money for and against the pair could make the race among the most expensive Senate campaigns in U.S. history.






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