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 seeking their first term in office. The winner will succeed Republican incumbent Thom Tillis, who is not seeking re-election to a third term.
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.
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 supermajority in North Carolina's U.S. House delegation, 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.
As an open seat in a swing state, North Carolina is considered a top battleground in deciding control of the Senate in 2026.
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.
Thom Tillis vs. Mark Robinson
Thom Tillis vs. "Someone Else"<br />
Thom Tillis vs. Lara Trump<br />
Aggregate polls
Don Brown vs. Roy Cooper<br />
Thom Tillis vs. Roy Cooper<br />
Lara Trump vs. Roy Cooper<br />
Partisan clients