2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina

For related races, see 2026 United States Senate elections.

Not to be confused with 2026 North Carolina Senate election.

2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 2020 November 3, 2026 2032 →

Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent U.S. senator Thom Tillis Republican

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. Primary elections will be held on March 3, 2026. The winner will succeed Republican incumbent Thom Tillis, who is not seeking re-election after two terms.^[1] Democrats have not won a Senate election in North Carolina since 2008.

Background

A typical 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%^[2] and 3.2%,^[3] respectively.

Both parties have seen success in the state in recent years. Republicans control both chambers of the North Carolina Legislature and hold a supermajority in North Carolina's U.S. House delegation,^[4] as well as both of the state's senate seats. However, Democrats have seen success in statewide races, including in 2024, where they won half of the state's executive offices.^[5]

As an open seat in a marginal state, North Carolina is considered a top battleground in deciding control of the Senate in 2026.^[6]

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.^[7][8] 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.^[9] The following day, Tillis announced that he will not seek reelection.^[1]

Candidates

Declared

• Don Brown, attorney, author, and candidate for North Carolina's 8th congressional district in 2024^[10]
• Michael Whatley, former chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025)^[11]

Filed paperwork

• Lichia Sibhatu, daycare owner and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022^[12]
• Elizabeth Temple, teacher^[13]

Publicly expressed interest

• James Cain, former U.S Ambassador to Denmark (2005–2009)^[14]
• Michele Morrow, nurse and nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2024^[15]

Potential

• Dan Bishop, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget (2025–present), former U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 8th congressional district (2019–2025), and nominee for attorney general in 2024^[16]
• George Holding, former U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district (2013–2021)^[17]
• Tim Moore, U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 14th congressional district (2025–present)^[18]

Withdrawn

• Andy Nilsson, teacher's assistant^[19]
• Thom Tillis, incumbent U.S. Senator (2015–present)^[1]

Declined

• Pat Harrigan, U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 10th congressional district (2025–present)^[20]
• Richard Hudson, U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 9th congressional district (2013–present)^[21]
• Greg Murphy, U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 3rd congressional district (2019–present) (running for re-election)^[22]
• Mark Robinson, former Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina (2021–2025) and nominee for governor in 2024^[23] (endorsed Brown)^[24]
• Lara Trump, former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025) and daughter-in-law of president Donald Trump^[25] (endorsed Whatley)^[26]
• Mark Walker, nominee for U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, former U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 6th congressional district (2015–2021), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022^[27]

Endorsements

Don Brown

Statewide officials

• Mark Robinson, former Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina (2021–2025)^[24]

Michael Whatley

Federal officials

• Donald Trump, 45th and 47th president of the United States (2017–2021; 2025–present)^[28]

Individuals

• Lara Trump, former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025) and daughter-in-law of president Donald Trump^[26]

U.S Senators

• John Thune, Senate Majority Leader (2025–present) from South Dakota (2005–present)^[28]
• Tim Scott, U.S. senator from South Carolina (2013–present)^[28]

Thom Tillis (withdrawn)

U.S. senators

• Jim Banks, U.S. senator from Indiana (2025–present)^[29]
• John Barrasso, U.S. senator from Wyoming (2007–present)^[29]
• John Boozman, U.S. senator from Arkansas (2011–present)^[29]
• Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. senator from West Virginia (2015–present)^[29]
• Bill Cassidy, U.S. senator from Louisiana (2015–present)^[29]
• Mike Crapo, U.S. senator from Idaho (1999–present)^[29]
• Tom Cotton, U.S. senator from Arkansas (2015–present)^[29]
• Steve Daines, U.S. senator from Montana (2015–present)^[29]
• Joni Ernst, U.S. senator from Iowa (2015–present)^[29]
• Deb Fischer, U.S. senator from Nebraska (2013–present)^[29]
• Chuck Grassley, U.S. senator from Iowa (1981–present)^[29]
• James Lankford, U.S. senator from Oklahoma (2015–present)^[29]
• Cynthia Lummis, U.S. senator from Wyoming (2021–present)^[29]
• Markwayne Mullin, U.S. senator from Oklahoma (2023–present)^[29]
• Lisa Murkowski, U.S. senator from Alaska (2002–present)^[29]
• Pete Ricketts, U.S. senator from Nebraska (2023–present)^[29]
• Mike Rounds, U.S. senator from South Dakota (2015–present)^[29]

Organizations

• AIPAC^[30]

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Don Brown (R)	$69,514	$26,706	$43,649
Source: Federal Election Commission[31]

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Thom Tillis vs. Mark Robinson

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Thom Tillis	Mark Robinson	Undecided
Campaign Viability Research (R)[32]	November 13–15, 2024	800 (LV)	–	42%	35%	23%

Thom Tillis vs. "Someone Else"

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Thom Tillis	Someone Else	Undecided
Campaign Viability Research (R)[32]	November 13–15, 2024	800 (LV)	–	31%	36%	33%

Thom Tillis vs. Lara Trump

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Thom Tillis	Lara Trump	Undecided
Victory Insights (R)[33]	November 26–29, 2024	800 (LV)	–	11%	65%	25%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Roy Cooper, former governor of North Carolina (2017–2025)^[34]

Filed paperwork

• Orrick Quick, pastor^[35]

Publicly expressed interest

• Don Davis, U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 1st congressional district (2023–present)^[36][37]

Potential

• Dan McCready, energy investment executive and nominee for North Carolina's 9th congressional district in 2018 and 2019^[38][39]
• Zeb Smathers, mayor of Canton^[40]

Withdrawn

• Wiley Nickel, former U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 13th congressional district (2023–2025) (endorsed Cooper)^[41]

Declined

• Jeff Jackson, attorney general of North Carolina (2025–present) (endorsed Cooper)^[42]
• Deborah Ross, U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district (2021–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016 (endorsed Cooper)^[43]

Endorsements

Roy Cooper

Federal officials

• Kamala Harris, former Vice President of the United States (2021–2025) and Democratic nominee for president in 2024^[34]

U.S. senators

• Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator from New York (2009–present)^[43]
• Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (2025–present) from New York (1999–present)^[43]

U.S. representatives

• Wiley Nickel, former U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 13th congressional district (2023–2025)^[41]
• Deborah Ross, U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district (2021–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016^[43]

Statewide officials

• Jeff Jackson, Attorney General of North Carolina (2025–present)^[42]
• Josh Stein, Governor of North Carolina (2025–present)^[44]

Individuals

• Anderson Clayton, Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party (2023–present)^[44]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Inside Elections[45]	Tossup	July 24, 2025
The Cook Political Report[46]	Tossup	June 29, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[47]	Tossup	August 12, 2025
Race To The WH[48]	Lean D (flip)	August 1, 2025

Polling

Michael Whatley vs. Roy Cooper

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Michael Whatley (R)	Roy Cooper (D)	Other	Undecided
Harper Polling (R)[49][A]	August 11–12, 2025	600 (RV)	± 4.0%	39%	47%	4%[b]	10%
Emerson College[50]	July 28–30, 2025	1,000 (RV)	± 3.0%	41%	47%	–	12%
Victory Insights (R)[51]	July 28–30, 2025	600 (LV)	–	40%	43%	–	16%
				44%[c]	44%	–	12%

Hypothetical polling

Thom Tillis vs. Roy Cooper

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Thom Tillis (R)	Roy Cooper (D)	Other	Undecided
Change Research (D)[52][B]	March 31 – April 4, 2025	867 (LV)	± 3.6%	44%	46%	–	10%
				45%[c]	48%	2%[d]	5%
Public Policy Polling (D)[53]	March 4–5, 2025	662 (V)	± 3.8%	43%	47%	–	9%
Victory Insights (R)[33]	November 26–29, 2024	800 (LV)	–	44%	45%	–	11%

Lara Trump vs. Roy Cooper

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Lara Trump (R)	Roy Cooper (D)	Other	Undecided
Victory Insights (R)[33]	November 26–29, 2024	800 (LV)	–	44%	46%	–	10%

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. "Someone else" with 4%
3. With voters who lean towards a given candidate
4. "Would not vote" with 2%

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by The Carolina Journal
2. Poll sponsored by Carolina Forward

References

1. Carney, Jordain (June 29, 2025). "Thom Tillis says he will retire following Trump attacks". Politico. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
2. "November 03, 2020 General Election Results by Contest" (PDF). North Carolina State Board of Elections.
3. "NC - State_Composite_Abstract_Report-Contest.pdf". November 26, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
4. State Board of Elections. General election results for Federal offices, 2024. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived at Web Archive.
5. "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov.
6. "GOP Sen. Thom Tillis won't seek re-election in North Carolina after drawing Trump's ire". NBC News. June 29, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
7. Berryman, Kim; Pellish, Aaron (June 11, 2023). "Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is censured by North Carolina GOP delegates at convention". CNN.
8. Specht, Paul; Doran, Will (November 17, 2024). "Trump nominations put NC's Thom Tillis, the nation's 'most vulnerable' Republican senator, in the spotlight". WRAL-TV. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
9. Jacobs, Ben (June 29, 2025). "Trump threatens Tillis with primary challenge". Politico. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
10. Kingdollar, Brandon (March 22, 2025). "Angry voters demand an audience in Raleigh as Thom Tillis kicks off Senate reelection bid". NC Newsline. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
11. Gans, Jared (July 31, 2025). "Trump-backed RNC Chair Michael Whatley launches North Carolina Senate bid". The Hill. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
12. "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1598734". docquery.fec.gov.
13. "TEMPLE, ELIZABETH ANNE FEC FORM 1 STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION FILING FEC-1907197".
14. Sherman, Lucille (July 8, 2025). "Scoop: Former Carolina Hurricanes president considers a run for U.S. Senate". Axios. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
15. Anderson, Byran (March 31, 2025). "Former NC Superintendent candidate Michele Morrow seriously considering primary to Tillis". Anderson Alerts. Retrieved March 31, 2025 – via Substack.
16. Bacharier, Galen (June 29, 2025). "North Carolina's U.S. Senate race is open. Who's running, who's not and who could jump in". NC Newsline. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
17. Sherman, Jake; Desiderio, Andrew; Pedersen, Brendan (June 29, 2025). "Tillis to retire as GOP revs up on reconciliation bill". Punchbowl News. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
18. Green, Justin; Sherman, Lucille (June 29, 2025). "Sen. Thom Tillis won't run for reelection in 2026". Axios. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
19. Robertson, Gary (August 9, 2025). "Andy Nilsson ends North Carolina Senate bid after Trump backs Michael Whatley". Associated Press. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
20. "Pat Harrigan rules out a U.S. Senate run". WSOC. July 26, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
21. Pellish, Aaron (July 1, 2025). "Hudson rules out bid to replace Tillis". Politico. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
22. "Murphy won't make Senate run, affirms 2026 reelection bid". The Daily Reflector. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
23. Doran, Will (January 31, 2025). "Mark Robinson drops lawsuit against CNN, says political career may be over". WRAL-TV. Retrieved January 31, 2025. Robinson said Friday he wouldn't run for Senate or any other office in 2026
24. Grant, Eli (June 30, 2025). "The North Carolina Senate Race: A Political Crossroads for Healthcare, Infrastructure, and Defense Investments". AInvest. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
25. Walker, Josephine (July 24, 2025). "Lara Trump won't run for North Carolina senate seat". Axios. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
26. Roarty, Reese Gorman, Ursula Perano, Alex (July 25, 2025). "Trump and GOP Leaders Line Up Behind Michael Whatley for N.C. Senate Seat". The Assembly NC.
27. Bacharier, Galen (June 29, 2025). "North Carolina's U.S. Senate race is open. Who's running, who's not and who could jump in". NC Newsline. Retrieved June 30, 2025. Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker...took himself out of the running Sunday evening, saying he was 'solely focused' on his nomination process to be ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom
28. Gorman, Reese; Perano, Ursula; Roarty, Alex (July 25, 2025). "Trump and GOP Leaders Line Up Behind Michael Whatley for N.C. Senate Seat". The Assembly. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
29. Fahlberg, Audrey (December 9, 2024). "Senator Thom Tillis Will Kick Off 2026 Reelection Campaign This Week with Fundraiser". National Review.
30. "Featured". AIPAC PAC. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
31. "2026 Election United States Senate – North Carolina". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
32. "Hypothetical Robinson-Tillis 2026 Matchup: A Dogfight Waiting To Happen" (PDF). Campaign Viability Research. November 25, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
33. "North Carolina Poll: Lara Trump, Thom Tillis, or Roy Cooper for Us Senate in 2026?" (PDF). Victory Insights. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
34. Haggard, DeJuan (July 28, 2025). "Roy Cooper, former NC Governor announces he is running for Senate in 2026". WTVD. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
35. "QUICK, ORRICK ROMAINE FEC FORM 2 STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY FILING FEC-1909914".
36. Wu, Nicholas; Carney, Jordain (July 7, 2025). "Don Davis eyes open North Carolina Senate seat". Politico. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
37. Wu, Nicholas (July 28, 2025). "Davis leans against Senate bid". Politico. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
38. Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (May 2, 2025). "Morning Digest: How Senate Republicans are trying to kneecap Ken Paxton". The Downballot. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
39. Gonzales, Nathan L. (June 29, 2025). "North Carolina Senate: Tillis Decision Creates Open Seat". Inside Elections. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
40. Schneider, Elena (July 1, 2025). "'Unprecedented' national cash: North Carolina Dems have tunnel vision for Roy Cooper". Politico. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
41. Robertson, Gary (July 29, 2025). "Wiley Nickel exits North Carolina Senate race the day after Roy Cooper announces candidacy". Associated Press. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
42. Doran, Will (July 8, 2025). "As Roy Cooper ramps up profile, Jeff Jackson makes US Senate decision". WRAL-TV. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
43. "Reactions from both sides pour in after Roy Cooper announces he is running for Senate". WTVD. July 28, 2025. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
44. Robertson, Gary (July 28, 2025). "Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will run for the US Senate in North Carolina in 2026". Associated Press.
45. "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
46. "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
47. "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
48. "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
49. "August 2025 – Cooper shows early lead on Whatley in US Senate Race". Carolina Journal. August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
50. "North Carolina 2026 Poll: Cooper Starts US Senate Race with Six-Point Lead and Clear Name Recognition Advantage over Whatley". Emerson College Polling. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
51. "Roy Cooper holds narrow lead over Michael Whatley in First Poll of 2026 US Senate Race in North Carolina" (PDF). Victory Insights. July 30, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
52. "The Carolina Forward Poll: April 2025". Carolina Forward. April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
53. "North Carolina Survey Results" (PDF). Public Policy Polling. March 6, 2025. Retrieved March 6, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Don Brown (R) for Senate
• Roy Cooper (D) for Senate
• Andy Nilsson (R) for Senate
• Michael Whatley (R) for Senate