Roy Cooper broke fundraising records in his first 24 hours as a Senate candidate — a massive cash boost the former North Carolina governor will need for what’s expected to become one of the most expensive statewide campaigns in U.S. history.

Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, giving Democrats a proven statewide winner in an open-seat race that is expected to be one of the most competitive 2026 contests.

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper jumped into the state’s open Senate race Monday, boosting Democrats’ hopes and setting up a likely contest with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whately in one of the nation’s most competitive battlegrounds.