Roy Cooper, the former governor of North Carolina, has set a fundraising record by securing $3.4 million in the first 24 hours of his Senate campaign — a significant achievement in one of the most fiercely contested Senate races in the upcoming 2026 election.
The fundraising total, initially disclosed to POLITICO, reveals that over $2.6 million was raised directly into Cooper’s campaign account, with 95 percent of these contributions coming from donors giving $100 or less. An additional $900,000 was funneled into joint fundraising committees with his party, which facilitates larger contributions and enhances campaign resources.
Cooper’s campaign now faces off against Michael Whatley, the Republican National Committee Chair, who is set to announce his own Senate bid soon. Whatley, with the backing of former President Donald Trump, is expected to bring a strong fundraising network to the race. This competition is further intensified by the departure of Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who recently announced his intent not to seek reelection after a public disagreement with Trump over the handling of his megabill. North Carolina, a key battleground state where Cooper has previously secured victories with Trump on the ticket, presents a critical opportunity for Democrats to gain a Senate seat, making the race highly significant for national politics.
Cooper’s record-breaking haul cracks a Senate Democratic candidate record set by Amy McGrath, a fundraising juggernaut, who nonetheless failed to unseat Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2020. McGrath raised $2.5 million in her first 24 hours as a candidate, but ultimately lost her bid. Cooper’s campaign, which has drawn on his national fundraising expertise from his time as Democratic Governors Association chair, is now seen as a major player in the race, with high expectations for a fierce and expensive battle in the 2026 elections.