Democrat Roy Cooper won North Carolina's U.S. Senate race on Tuesday, the Associated Press projected, defeating Republican Michael Whatley and flipping a seat held by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Tillis did not seek another term, leaving the seat open.
The pickup gives Democrats one of the gains they need to take control of the Senate. Georgia's result, where Democrat Jon Ossoff won reelection, held a seat the party already had. The two calls have different effects on the Senate map, and neither settles who will control the chamber.
Cooper served two terms as North Carolina governor and was the state's attorney general before that. Whatley previously chaired the Republican National Committee and ran with President Donald Trump's support. Reuters reported that Cooper made the cost of food and energy a focus of his campaign.
Where to follow the count
The North Carolina State Board of Elections links to its election results dashboard. Select the November 3 general election and the U.S. Senate contest to see statewide totals and county returns. The numbers can change as county boards report more ballots.
The AP race call is a projection based on the vote count and the votes still outstanding. The state's election-night totals are unofficial until certification. Reuters also reported the projected win.
