RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- At the North Carolina Democratic Party's annual Unity Dinner fundraiser, former Governor Roy Cooper made strong hints to Democrats about his likely plans for an imminent run for U.S. Senate in 2026.

North Carolina’s 2026 Senate race is likely pitting popular former Gov. Roy Cooper against Trump-backed RNC Chairman Michael Whatley.

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper appears to be running for Senate. The former governor addressed the elephant in the room at the NC Democrats Unity Dinner in Raleigh Saturday evening. Cooper did not plainly state that he would be running,

Former Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.), who launched his campaign for Senate in April, is now mulling whether to suspend his campaign and instead enter the race for an open district attorney position

Democrats need four seats to retake the Senate majority, but Republicans are looking at uncertainty in some states.