Wiley Nickel endorses Roy Cooper in 2026 U.S. Senate campaign

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A day after former North Carolina governor Roy Cooper announced he is running for the United States Senate seat that will be vacated by Republican Thom Tillis, his would-be opponent for the Democratic nomination has dropped out and pledged his support for Cooper.

“We started this campaign to send Thom Tillis packing. Well, mission accomplished I guess!” said Wiley Nickel, who officially launched his candidacy for the 2026 U.S. Senate race in April.

Nickel was a two-term state senator before being elected into the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. He served NC’s 13th congressional district — which at the time encompassed all of Johnston County as well as southern Wake County and parts of Harnett and Wayne counties — for one two-year term.

“It was an honor to work alongside Governor Cooper in the State Senate and in Congress. I’ve seen firsthand his steady, bipartisan leadership. He listens, he shows up, and he gets things done,” Nickel said in his endorsement. “From making North Carolina the top state for business to guiding our communities through natural disasters, his leadership has made a real difference. And for so many of us, including me, he’s been an inspiration to step up and serve. I proudly endorse Governor Cooper for US Senate and look forward to doing everything I can to help him flip this Senate seat from red to blue.”

Cooper’s GOP opponent in the race for Tillis’ seat is expected to be Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley, who sources have said has the backing of President Donald Trump.

Though Nickel suspended his U.S. Senate bid to throw his support behind Cooper, he hinted that a run for a different role could be on the table. On Friday, a source close to Nickel’s campaign told CBS 17 that the trained lawyer is considering running for the Wake County District Attorney office that will be vacated by Lorrin Freeman, who earlier this year said she would not seek reelection.

“I’ve still got a lot of work left to do, that part hasn’t changed,” Nickel said Tuesday. “Public service is a part of who I am and you’ll hear more from me soon.”