Democrat Roy Cooper wins election to U.S. Senate from North Carolina

Democrat Roy Cooper won election Tuesday to the U.S. Senate representing North Carolina, defeating Republican Michael Whatley. Cooper’s victory gives Democrats a key pickup in their quest to wrest Senate control from Republicans. The seat was open because Republican Sen. Thom Tillis opted not to seek another term. Cooper is a former governor and state attorney general. Whatley is a former state and national Republican Party chairman who ran with President Donald Trump’s support. The Associated Press declared Cooper the winner at 8:23 p.m. EST.