North Carolina U.S. Senate

The North Carolina U.S. Senate race has 3 tracked candidates in the 2026 election cycle.

Cook PVI

R+3

Last Margin

1.8%

Seat Class

Class 2

Candidates

Republican

Michael Whatley

US Senate

The former RNC chair who helped deliver the 2024 election for Trump is now running for Senate in North Carolina — a first-time candidate with a party establishment and presidential endorsement backing him.

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Republican

North Carolina Senate — Open Seat

US Senate

Thom Tillis's retirement opens the door for Democrats in a state Trump won by a single digit — the most flippable Republican seat on the map.

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Democrat

Roy Cooper

US Senate

Roy Cooper won six statewide elections in a Republican-leaning state — now he's running for Senate as the Democrat most likely to make the math work in North Carolina.

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