Former Gov. Roy Cooper, who is running for U.S. Senate, speaks during a roundtable about health care costs and Medicaid at Chavis Community Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on Sept. 19, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)
Former Gov. Roy Cooper dramatically outfundraised his competitors for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Cooper, a Democrat, brought in nearly $18 million since entering the race last July, according to campaign finance documents. He broke records when he raised $3.4 million during the first 24 hours of his campaign.
After spending about $5.6 million, Cooper is left with $12.3 million in his war chest, a substantial haul ahead of what’s expected to be one of the country’s most competitive races in November.
North Carolina will be in the spotlight as Democrats aim to flip a seat in a state that’s voted three times for President Donald Trump. With incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis opting not to seek reelection, the open seat has drawn plenty of attention and money. Democrats consider it one of their best pick up opportunities this election cycle.
Campaign finance reports detailing fundraising and spending in 2025 were due at the Federal Elections Commission on Saturday. The state’s primary election will take place on March 3.
On the GOP side, former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley raised about $5.2 million in 2025. The Trump-backed candidate spent approximately $1.5 million, leaving him with $3.7 million in cash on hand.
Thanks to their previous roles, both Cooper and Whatley have ties to extensive donor networks. The North Carolina Senate contest is gearing up to be one of the most expensive this cycle.
Here’s a look at other players in the GOP primary:
Attorney Don Brown, who ran for the state’s eighth congressional district in 2024, raised about $146,000, spent about $114,000, and has about $32,000 left in his campaign coffers. Michele Morrow, the Republican nominee for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2024, trails behind. Receiving about $3,728, Morrow spent just over $2,000 and has about $1,635 left in her account. Businessman Thomas Johnson received $3,560, spent $1,931, and has $1,628 remaining on hand. Network security engineer Richard Dansie rounds out the pack. He reported $2,410 in receipts, $1,780 in disbursements, and $630 left in the bank.Cooper’s fundraising advantage over his Republican rivals will likely shrink after voters select their nominee next month and the party consolidates its resources.
Robert Colon, Justin Dues, Daryl Farrow, Orrick Quick, and Marcus Williams also filed to run in the Democratic primary, but have not filed reports with the FEC as of noon Monday.
First congressional district race looks pricey — again
More money pours into North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District than any other U.S. House contest in the state. It’s widely considered the Tar Heel State’s only competitive race in the lower chamber, and the latest bout of redistricting has only made it harder for Democrats to defend.
U.S. Rep. Don Davis (Photo: House.gov)The election is expected to be a rematch for incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis and his 2024 GOP rival Laurie Buckhout, who faced off inthe most expensive congressional race in North Carolina.
The pair reported raising similar numbers this cycle, with $2,090,151 for Davis and $2,022,326 for Buckhout. Unlike Davis, however, Buckhout loaned herself $2,001,000 — perhaps to dissuade opponents from challenging her for the Republican nomination.
At $427,439, Davis spent much more than Buckhout, who only disbursed $27,598.
That leaves both candidates with roughly the same amount in their campaign coffers: Davis has $1,933,552, and Buckhout reports $2,021,031.
Republican state Sen. Bobby Hanig also tossed his hat in the ring. He’s raised $306,906 and spent $72,763, leaving him with $234,142 in the bank.
Two other Republican candidates filed campaign finance reports in the district:
Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck raised $248,160, spent $14,863, and has $233,296 in cash on hand. Divorce attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell received $201,740, spent $6,809, and kept $194,930 in her campaign account.District 4 tees up a competitive Democratic primary
U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee (Photo: House.gov)In the deep blue 4th Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Rep. Valerie Foushee is facing a challenger who’s got the fundraising numbers to prove her determination.
Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam reported a haul of $334,740, only a little less than Foushee’s $361,919. On the expenditures side, Allam spent $28,955 — much less than $254,001 for the incumbent.
It leads to an interesting situation in which the primary challenger has more in their war chest than the occupant they hope to unseat. Foushee has $193,614 remaining in her account, while Allam reports $305,785 in the bank.
The primary winner will face Republican Mahesh Ganorkar and Libertarian Guy Meilleur in the general election, neither of whom had filed a campaign finance report as of noon Monday.
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