Democrats gained a Republican-held U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina on Tuesday as former Gov. Roy Cooper defeated Michael Whatley, adding a consequential pickup to a series of early Democratic victories in the 2026 midterm elections.
The Associated Press called Cooper’s victory in the contest for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina). The result marks the first Democratic U.S. Senate election victory in North Carolina since 2008 and gives the party one net Senate gain.
The AP also projected Democratic victories in Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, bringing this roundup to six major Senate and governor results across five states. Those five other victories preserved seats or offices Democrats already held. The results do not determine control of either chamber of Congress.
North Carolina: Cooper Flips Republican Senate Seat
Cooper, a two-term former governor and former state attorney general, defeated Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman whom President Donald Trump endorsed. Tillis chose not to seek another term.
The victory gives Democrats their first Senate pickup of the night among the races in this roundup. North Carolina’s election board publishes unofficial returns as local officials submit them; those totals remain subject to canvassing and certification.
Georgia And Virginia: Democratic Incumbents Hold Senate Seats
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) defeated U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R-Georgia), denying Republicans a pickup in a state both parties targeted. Ossoff won a second term.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia) defeated Republican Bert Mizusawa and secured a fourth term. Neither result changes the partisan balance of the Senate.
Illinois: Stratton Wins Senate Race; Pritzker Secures Third Term
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the open U.S. Senate seat against Republican Don Tracy. She succeeds retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), keeping the seat in Democratic hands.
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker also won reelection over Republican Darren Bailey, securing a third term as governor.
Pennsylvania: Shapiro Wins Second Term
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro defeated Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity to win reelection in Pennsylvania. His victory preserves Democratic control of the governor’s office.
Control Of Congress Remains Undecided
Republicans entered Election Day with a 53-47 Senate majority, counting the two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to reach 51, assuming they hold their existing seats. Cooper’s victory supplies one of those four necessary gains; the other Senate results in this roundup are Democratic holds.
Race projections do not equal certified election results. State and county election officials will continue counting and canvassing ballots, and additional contests could change the congressional picture as election night progresses.
