Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
48.9%
40.2%
Democrat
Roy Cooper
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina
$1.6M
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Roy Cooper is trading at 92% to win the North Carolina Senate winner? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleFormer Governor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age69 years old (Jun 13, 1957)
GenderMale
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LocationNorth Carolina
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA)
Notable personal detailsRoy Asberry Cooper III is an American politician and attorney who served as the 75th Governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025 and as North Carolina Attorney General from 2001 to 2017. He previously served in the North Carolina General Assembly, including as Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate. He earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and practiced law in eastern North Carolina.
SourcesShowHide
govroycooper.orgen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgdiff.wikimedia.orgde.wikipedia.orgbiographytree.comupload.wikimedia.orgm.wikidata.orgwikidataexplorer.comwikiframe.library.unlv.eduarxiv.orgednc.orgcongress.govapnews.comnews.bloombergtax.comroycooper.comgovernor.nc.govncdhhs.govimmigrationforum.orgontheissues.orgcbsnews.comdeq.nc.govcommerce.nc.govafge.orglcv.orgncpssm.orgaflcionc.orgreproductivefreedomforall.orgdmfipac.orgncae.orgbluevoterguide.orgwunc.orgnytimes.comabc11.comwlos.comdailytarheel.comcarolinajournal.comthehill.comwsj.comwral.comthecentersquare.combritannica.comcitizen-times.comnsjonline.comfacebook.comlocalcandidates.orgfec.govdocquery.fec.govnga.orgballotready.orggovinfo.govjudiciary.senate.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgdailypress.senate.govncsl.org
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports preserving or restoring higher tax rates for corporations and top earners relative to scheduled cuts while favoring targeted tax relief for middle-class families and increased investments in education and services. Advocates using state revenue to fund teacher pay, child care, Medicaid expansion and other public priorities rather than further broad tax reductions.
Healthcare
Roy Cooper has prioritized expanding public health coverage and strengthening Medicaid in North Carolina, leading efforts to enact Medicaid expansion (effective Dec 1, 2023) and to enroll hundreds of thousands of newly eligible residents. His administration has also pushed investments in mental and behavioral health, relief of medical debt, and pilot programs addressing social drivers of health for Medicaid recipients. There is no evidence he supports single-payer/Medicare-for-All.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protections for refugees and Dreamers and has opposed state laws that would require sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration detainers; has used gubernatorial proclamations welcoming migrants and refugees. Has repeatedly vetoed state bills increasing mandatory local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, while expressing some caution in specific refugee-screening contexts in the past.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and restoring broad access to abortion and reproductive health care, has issued statements and an executive order to protect abortion access in North Carolina, and has opposed state legislative efforts to impose stricter bans. Seeks to keep decisions about abortion with patients and clinicians and has urged courts and voters to restore constitutional protections for abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Roy Cooper has issued multiple executive orders and state initiatives setting near- and long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets, established goals for large-scale offshore wind development, and directed state agencies to transition toward a clean energy economy while promoting clean energy job growth and federal funding for related projects.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun-safety measures such as maintaining strong background checks, safe-storage initiatives, and creation of an Office of Violence Prevention while describing responsible gun ownership; has vetoed state legislation that would eliminate sheriff-conducted handgun background checks.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 14, 2026
Roy Cooper is in the news because he is running in the North Carolina U.S. Senate race and recent polls show him leading Republican Michael Whatley, including by 9 points in one Fox News poll and 11 points in another survey. The race is being watched as a key battleground that could help decide Senate control. Cooper is also facing Republican attacks over prison releases during his time as governor, and his campaign is pushing back by highlighting his public safety record.
govroycooper.org+55
Articles
GNGreensboro News & Record12 days ago
Cooper ahead by 11% over Whatley in Elon's US Senate poll
Positive
NNewsweek25 days ago
Republicans Handed Worrisome Signs in New North Carolina Senate Poll
Positive
WEWashington Examiner2 months ago
Roy Cooper promotes record on crime despite GOP attacks felon releases
Negative
CCNBC2 months ago
Roy Cooper North Carolina race could help decide control of the next Senate
Positive
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Roy Cooper currently averages 48.9%, ranking first in this race, 8.7 points ahead of the nearest opponent.
Polling average: 48.9%Position: firstMargin: +8.7 ptsLatest poll: 50.0% (Aug 3 - 12)Polls included: 29
Average recalculated from polls through Aug 3 - 12.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$35.0M
$26.2M
$17.5M
$8.7M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$35.0M
$20.7M
$14.3M
$792.1K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements