RALEIGH, N.C. — Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper raised $3.4 million in the first 24 hours of his U.S. Senate campaign, setting a new record for a Democratic Senate candidate and underscoring the competitiveness of the state’s 2026 race.

The total includes $2.6 million in direct contributions to Cooper’s campaign, with 95 percent of donations at $100 or less, according to his team. An additional $900,000 was raised through joint fundraising efforts with the Democratic Party, which enables larger individual contributions.

Cooper formally launched his campaign Monday, emerging as Democrats’ top contender for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. The race is expected to be one of the most closely watched and expensive in the country.

Cooper is likely to face Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who is expected to launch his campaign soon with the backing of former President Donald Trump. Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, had also been considered a possible candidate but opted not to run.

Former Rep. Wiley Nickel, who had previously entered the race, withdrew Tuesday and endorsed Cooper, effectively clearing the Democratic field.

“I proudly endorse Governor Cooper for U.S. Senate and look forward to doing everything I can to help him flip this Senate seat from red to blue,” Nickel said in a statement. He added that he still plans to remain involved in public service, with future plans to be announced soon. Nickel is now reportedly considering a bid for district attorney in Wake County, the state’s largest.

Cooper, who previously served as chair of the Democratic Governors Association, was heavily recruited by national Democrats. He has twice won statewide elections in North Carolina while Trump was on the ballot, a sign of his crossover appeal in a swing state.

Rep. Don Davis, another potential Democratic contender, is now expected to forgo a Senate bid in light of Cooper’s entry into the race.

Cooper’s early fundraising haul surpasses the previous record for a Senate Democratic candidate, set by Amy McGrath of Kentucky, who raised $2.5 million in the first 24 hours of her 2020 campaign against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

With both Cooper and Whatley bringing strong national fundraising networks, the North Carolina race is poised to be a key battleground in the fight for Senate control in 2026.