Who is running for U.S. Senate (North Carolina) in 2026?
Here are the candidates for U.S. Senate (North Carolina) on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for every voter in North Carolina.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Roy CooperDemocrat | Michael WhatleyRepublican | Shannon W. BrayLibertarian | Michael DublinGreen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income taxes | No public position | Cut taxes across the board, including for top earners and corporationsSaid · medium | Cut taxes mainly for middle and lower earnersQuestionnaire answer · medium | Raise taxes significantly to fund major new programsSaid · medium |
| Social Security | No public position | No public position | No public position | Expand benefits and fund it with higher taxes on the wealthySaid · medium |
| Safety net programs | No public position | No public position | No public position | Move toward a guaranteed income or much broader programsSaid · medium |
| Minimum wage | No single answer fits; see evidence | No public position | No public position | Raise it higher and tie it to the cost of livingSaid · medium |
| Business regulation | Stronger rules on big corporations, banks and tech companiesSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | Much stronger rules, including breaking up the largest companiesSaid · medium |
| Healthcare | Keep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenSaid · medium | No public position | Mostly private market; roll back the government's roleSaid · medium | Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All)Said · medium |
| Abortion | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · low | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestSaid · low | No public position | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · low |
| Guns | Add universal background checks and red-flag lawsSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Immigration | No single answer fits; see evidence | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadySaid · medium | No single answer fits; see evidence | Much more open immigration with less enforcementSaid · medium |
| Foreign policy | No public position | No public position | Pull back from foreign conflicts and aid (often called America First)Said · medium | Cut military spending significantlySaid · medium |
| Energy and climate | An aggressive shift to clean energy with firm deadlinesOfficial action · medium | No single answer fits; see evidence | All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickSaid · medium | Phase out fossil fuels as fast as possibleSaid · medium |
| Politicians trading stocks | No, ban it for members and their spousesSaid · medium | No, ban it for members and their spousesSaid · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Campaign finance | No public position | No public position | No public position | Overturn Citizens United by amendment and add public financing of campaignsSaid · medium |
| Death penalty | No single answer fits; see evidence | No public position | No public position | Abolish it and use life without parole insteadSaid · medium |
| Mandatory minimums | No public position | No public position | Cut them back, especially for drug crimes, and give judges more discretionSaid · medium | No public position |
| Drug prices | Negotiate more drugs and extend the insulin and yearly cost caps to private insuranceSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | Set legal price limits on all prescription drugs for every buyerSaid · medium |
| Childcare and pre-K | Help through tax credits, employer incentives, and parent choiceSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No public position |
| Paid leave | No public position | No public position | No public position | Create a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick daysSaid · medium |
| Transgender athletes | Let each state, school or sports body decideSaid · medium | No, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsSaid · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Aid to Israel | Keep full aid without new conditionsSaid · medium | No public position | No public position | No single answer fits; see evidence |
Roy Cooper
DemocratFormer Governor of North Carolina
Roy Cooper served two terms as Governor of North Carolina after being elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, and before that served four terms as state Attorney General1. He grew up in Nash County, practiced law in Rocky Mount and served in the state legislature1. He is the Democratic nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat21.
Where they stand 14 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Politicians trading stocksNo, ban it for members and their spousesmedium
Said · medium confidence- Called for banning individual stock trading by members of Congress and top executive branch officials, and pledged not to own or trade individual stocks as a candidate or senator. (2025-12-16) source
- Challenged his opponent to sell his individual stocks after both candidates said they back a ban. (2026-02) source
Aid to IsraelKeep full aid without new conditionsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Through a campaign aide, said he generally does not believe the U.S. should withhold aid from Israel, while urging other pressure on the Israeli government to get food to people in Gaza and return the hostages. (2025-08) source
GunsAdd universal background checks and red-flag lawsmedium
Said · medium confidence- As governor, called on the legislature to act on two gun bills, including a red flag bill letting family or police ask a judge to restrict a person's access to firearms. (2019-08) source
- Vetoed Senate Bill 41, which repealed the state pistol purchase permit, saying eliminating strong background checks would let more dangerous people own handguns; the legislature overrode the veto. (2023-03-24) source
Transgender athletesLet each state, school or sports body decidemedium
Said · medium confidence- As governor, vetoed the Fairness in Women's Sports Act, saying these decisions are already handled by parents, schools and sports organizations. (2023-07-05) source
Energy and climateAn aggressive shift to clean energy with firm deadlinesmedium
Official action · medium confidence- As governor, signed House Bill 951, which requires state regulators to work toward a 70 percent cut in power sector carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. (2021-10-13) source
- His Senate energy plan focuses on lowering utility bills, making data centers pay the full cost of their power and modernizing the grid. (2026) source
HealthcareKeep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenmedium
Drug pricesNegotiate more drugs and extend the insulin and yearly cost caps to private insurancemedium
Said · medium confidence- Wants Medicare to broaden drug price negotiations and a cap on annual out of pocket prescription costs for consumers. (2026) source
Childcare and pre-KHelp through tax credits, employer incentives, and parent choicemedium
Said · medium confidence- Plans to expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, give employers tax credits for on-site care or child care subsidies, and invest in the child care workforce. (2026) source
Business regulationStronger rules on big corporations, banks and tech companiesmedium
Said · medium confidenceAbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low
Said · low confidence- As governor, vetoed Senate Bill 20, which limited most abortions to the first 12 weeks, saying it would interfere with the doctor and patient relationship; the legislature overrode the veto. (2023-05-13) source
- Said he fought to protect and expand reproductive rights as governor and would work to protect reproductive freedom as a senator. (2026-06) source
Minimum wageNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- As governor, called for raising the state minimum wage and said $15 an hour is an admirable goal, while saying the increase need not be $15. (2019-02-13) source
Death penaltyNo single answer fitsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- On his last day as governor, commuted the death sentences of 15 people to life without parole after reviewing clemency petitions. (2024-12-31) source
ImmigrationNo single answer fitslow
Said · low confidence- Supported the 2024 bipartisan Senate border bill, which added border security funding, created new pathways to legal status for people already in the country and changed asylum rules. (2026-08) source
- Wrote that Border Patrol and ICE should secure the border and deport violent criminals here illegally, and said immigration agents need more accountability. (2026-08) source
- As governor, vetoed three bills that would have required sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, saying the way they were written was unconstitutional. (2026-08) source
No public position found on: Income taxes, National debt, Social Security, Safety net programs, Foreign policy, Judges, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.
Michael Whatley
RepublicanFormer Chairman of the Republican National Committee
Michael Whatley was chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party and, during the 2024 cycle, chairman of the Republican National Committee1. He previously worked as a federal law clerk and as chief of staff to Senator Elizabeth Dole, and led energy, environment and agriculture teams on the 2016 Trump transition1. He lives in Gaston County and is the Republican nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat18.
Where they stand 6 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Politicians trading stocksNo, ban it for members and their spousesmedium
Said · medium confidence- Said he would support a ban on congressional stock trading if elected. (2026-02) source
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform says he is fully supportive of President Trump securing the border and deporting the millions of criminal illegal aliens he says entered under the prior administration. (2026) source
- His campaign told WRAL he would vote for what President Trump wants on immigration and would work to keep that approach after Trump leaves office; he also called for more enforcement funding. (2026-08) source
Income taxesCut taxes across the board, including for top earners and corporationsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Praised the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts law, including no tax on tips, overtime and Social Security, and pledged to back similar tax cuts. (2026-07) source
Transgender athletesNo, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsmedium
Said · medium confidenceAbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestlow
Said · low confidence- Lists protecting life among the conservative values he says he will fight for. (2026) source
Energy and climateNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Says economic strength depends on reliable, affordable energy and calls for unleashing American energy and achieving energy independence. (2026) source
No public position found on: National debt, Social Security, Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Guns, Trade and tariffs, Foreign policy, Judges, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Israel, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.
Shannon W. Bray
LibertarianPrivate citizen (cybersecurity professional)
Shannon Bray is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1991 to 1997 and has worked in information technology, software development and information security1. He was the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022 and for Lieutenant Governor in 20241. He is the Libertarian nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat8.
Where they stand 8 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Mandatory minimumsCut them back, especially for drug crimes, and give judges more discretionmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports reducing mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenses and ending civil asset forfeiture without conviction. (2026) source
HealthcareMostly private market; roll back the government's rolemedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports repealing top-down federal health care mandates, expanding Health Savings Accounts and state-led health care solutions. (2026) source
Energy and climateAll of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports ending market-distorting energy subsidies, backing nuclear and next-generation energy, and innovation over mandates. (2026) source
Foreign policyPull back from foreign conflicts and aid (often called America First)medium
Income taxesCut taxes mainly for middle and lower earnersmedium
Nuclear powerNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Lists supporting nuclear and next-generation energy alongside ending market-distorting subsidies. (2026) source
Term limitsNo single answer fitsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- Said all federally elected offices should have term limits. (2022) source
ImmigrationNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports enforcing existing immigration laws and streamlining legal immigration. (2026) source
No public position found on: National debt, Social Security, Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Abortion, Guns, Trade and tariffs, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Israel, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.
Michael Dublin
GreenPrivate citizen (retired public school teacher)
Michael Dublin is a Raleigh native, a recently retired public school teacher and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served from 1986 to 198834. He has led a prison ministry for more than two decades and was the Green Party nominee for the U.S. House in North Carolina's 2nd District in 202434. He is the Green Party nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat5.
Where they stand 17 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Campaign financeOverturn Citizens United by amendment and add public financing of campaignsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Wants to overturn Citizens United and pass comprehensive campaign finance reform. (2026) source
Energy and climatePhase out fossil fuels as fast as possiblemedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports banning new oil and gas drilling, bringing top polluting companies into public ownership and a planned transition to 100 percent renewable energy. (2026) source
Death penaltyAbolish it and use life without parole insteadmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports abolishing the death penalty. (2026) source
Paid leaveCreate a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick daysmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports 12 months of paid parental leave. (2026) source
Foreign policyCut military spending significantlymedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports drastically cutting the military budget and abolishing NATO. (2026) source
ImmigrationMuch more open immigration with less enforcementmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports abolishing ICE, ending deportations and detention centers, and immediate legalization for all undocumented immigrants. (2026) source
Income taxesRaise taxes significantly to fund major new programsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports taxing the rich to invest in basic needs, alongside large new programs such as guaranteed income and universal health care. (2026) source
Drug pricesSet legal price limits on all prescription drugs for every buyermedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports taking pharmaceutical companies into public ownership to provide care at no cost to patients. (2026) source
Minimum wageRaise it higher and tie it to the cost of livingmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports a $25 federal minimum wage adjusted each year for the cost of living. (2026) source
Safety net programsMove toward a guaranteed income or much broader programsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports a guaranteed income of $4,000 per month for the unemployed, disabled, elderly and stay-at-home parents. (2026) source
Social SecurityExpand benefits and fund it with higher taxes on the wealthymedium
Said · medium confidence- Opposes any cuts to Social Security and supports substantially increasing benefits. (2026) source
Business regulationMuch stronger rules, including breaking up the largest companiesmedium
Said · medium confidence- Supports public ownership of the top polluting companies and price controls on everyday goods. (2026) source
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low
Said · low confidence- Supports free, safe, legal and accessible abortion. (2026) source
RedistrictingNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Wants to end gerrymandering. (2026) source
Aid to IsraelNo single answer fitslow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- Criticized sending billions of dollars each year to support what he called an apartheid state of Israel. (2024) source
Aid to UkraineNo single answer fitslow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- Criticized giving billions to another country to fight what he called a proxy war in Europe. (2024) source
No public position found on: National debt, Guns, Trade and tariffs, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Term limits, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Childcare and pre-K, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.