- Source: 2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina
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. Incumbent two-term Republican Senator Thom Tillis, was re-elected in 2020 with 48.7% of the vote against former State Senator Cal Cunningham. On June 10, 2023, the North Carolina Republican Party had censured Tillis over his bipartisan support on gun control and same-sex marriage. Outgoing governor Roy Cooper, who is term-limited as governor in 2024, is considered a potential Democratic candidate. On July 30, 2024, NBC reported that Cooper is planning to run for the Senate seat.
Background
A typical 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 the Republican candidate in both elections by 1.3% and 3.4%, respectively.
Both parties have seen success in the state in recent years. Republicans control both chambers of the North Carolina Legislature and hold a supermajority in North Carolina's U.S. House delegation, as well as both of the state's senate seats. However, Democrats have seen success in statewide races, including in 2024, where they won half of the state's executive offices.
Republican primary
Senator Thom Tillis is 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.
= Candidates
=Declared
Thom Tillis, incumbent U.S. Senator (2015–present)
Declined
Mark Robinson, outgoing Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina (2021–present) and nominee for governor in 2024
Michele Morrow, nurse and nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2024
= Polling
=Democratic primary
= Candidates
=Announcement pending
Wiley Nickel, outgoing U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 13th congressional district (2023–present) (announcement expected in February 2025)
Potential
Roy Cooper, outgoing Governor of North Carolina (2017–present)
Jeff Jackson, North Carolina Attorney General-elect and outgoing U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 14th congressional district (2023–present)
Notes
References
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- 2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina
- 2026 United States Senate elections
- 2014 United States Senate election in North Carolina
- 2008 United States Senate election in North Carolina
- 2020 United States Senate election in North Carolina
- 2022 United States Senate election in North Carolina
- 2016 United States Senate election in North Carolina
- 2024 United States presidential election in North Carolina
- 2004 United States Senate election in North Carolina
- 2010 United States Senate election in North Carolina
