Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Roy Cooper is expected to announce his campaign for the North Carolina Senate as soon as Monday, according to two people directly familiar with the former governor\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
The popular, former two-term governor\u2019s entrance into the Senate race \u2014 for a seat Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is leaving open with his announcement last month that he won\u2019t seek reelection<\/a> \u2014 is likely to transform the Senate race into the most competitive of 2026. Democrats, facing a difficult path to seizing control of the Senate next year, landed their dream recruit<\/a> with Cooper, who would enter the race as a favorite.<\/p>\n North Carolina represents one of the few offensive opportunities for Democrats, who are locked out of power at every level in Washington.<\/p>\n Lara Trump, President Donald Trump\u2019s daughter-in-law, is considering her own bid for the seat. Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who served as the head of the state\u2019s party, is also interested but is deferring to Trump, POLITICO reported last month<\/a>.<\/p>\n Former Rep. Wiley Nickel jumped into the race in April. He demurred earlier this month<\/a> when asked if he would leave the primary should Cooper get in.<\/p>\n