2026 ELECTION COVERAGE: Watch Live | Poll Closing Times | All Live Results | Live Updates | Live Fact Check
Supporters erupted into cheers, hugs and chants when they learned former Gov. Roy Cooper had won election to the U.S. Senate representing North Carolina.
Watch Cooper speak in the video player above.
A crowd gathered in a downtown Raleigh hotel ballroom Tuesday night, where music was thumping and CNN played on a big screen. When the news of Cooper's victory appeared, the crowd exploded and began chanting, "Cooper! Cooper!"
Anderson Clayton, who leads North Carolina's Democratic Party, said Cooper's decades in elected office made him an especially strong candidate.
Stand with free and independent journalism. Join Press Pass from PBS News
"He's woven into the fabric of North Carolina," she said.
By electing Cooper, North Carolina voters chose "competence over chaos," Democratic Gov. Josh Stein said in a speech shortly after the race was called.
Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley.
Explore more of our Vote 2026 coverage
- WATCH: How does The Associated Press call 2026 midterm election winners? 4 things to know
- READ MORE: Will ranked choice voting affect timing of Maine and Alaska's Senate race results? Here's what we know
- READ MORE: 3 things to watch on election night (and beyond)
- WATCH LIVE: Takeaways from the 2026 midterms and answers to your election questions
A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue.
Source: PBS NewsHour · By —
At a glance
- Topic
- Politics
- Country
- 🇺🇸 US
- Publisher language
- EN
- Added to Allnira