Former Democratic governor Cooper to take on Trump-backed Whatley for seat held by retiring Thom Tillis Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxNorth Carolina’s competitive Senate race came into shape on Tuesday, with former Democratic governor Roy Cooper and f ormer Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley winning their respective primaries.Cooper, a former two-term governor, is widely seen among North Carolina’s Democrats as their best chance at flipping a Republican-controlled seat, held by retiring US senator Thom Tillis, a conservative who has turned hard against the Trump administration on its handling of healthcare, defense and the Epstein file disclosures. Continue reading... ...read more read less