Roy Cooper raises $14.5 million in North Carolina Senate race, campaign says

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Democratic former governor Roy Cooper has raised $14.5 million in his bid to become North Carolina’s next senator, his campaign said Monday.

According to the campaign, the money was raised 65 days after Cooper announced his intention to run in the 2026 U.S. Senate race in North Carolina in July.

The campaign said the $14.5 million raised by the third quarter of 2025 is a record for a U.S. Senate challenger. More than 90% of the donations were $100 or less and came from all 100 counties in the state.

“Roy Cooper will always put North Carolinians first and this record-breaking fundraising reflects a massive groundswell of support for our campaign,” Cooper for North Carolina campaign manager Jeff Allen said in a statement. “This will be the most competitive race in the country and we’re putting a people-powered organization together to flip this seat and send Roy Cooper to the Senate to lower costs and deliver for North Carolina families.”

The Senate seat is currently held by Republican Thom Tillis, who is not seeking re-election.

Cooper is the only major candidate seeking the Democratic nomination. His Republican opponent is expected to be Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Whatley has raised $6 million by the third quarter of 2025, according to his campaign.

“I am incredibly grateful for each and every donation to my campaign,” Whatley said in a statement. “This early support is a clear rebuke of Roy Cooper’s liberal agenda. North Carolinians are tired of his soft-on-crime policies, his failures on public safety, and his loyalty to Washington Democrats over the people of this state.

“In the Senate, I will be a true America First partner to President Trump and deliver real results for North Carolina families,” Whatley continued in his statement.

Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate race in North Carolina since 2008.