Democrats flip North Carolina Senate seat as midterm results emerge

Democrat Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s US Senate race on Tuesday, flipping a Republican-held seat and bringing the Democrats’ total to 43, according to The Associated Press. Anadolu Agency reported the result.

Cooper, a former governor, defeated Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. The seat is being vacated by Republican Senator Thom Tillis.

The victory gives Democrats an important gain as they seek to strengthen their position in the Senate and potentially regain control of the chamber.

Democratic incumbents Mark Warner in Virginia, Jon Ossoff in Georgia, Cory Booker in New Jersey, Chris Coons in Delaware, Ed Markey in Massachusetts and Jack Reed in Rhode Island also won reelection.

In Illinois, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won an open Senate seat, while Democratic Representative Chris Pappas won in New Hampshire.

The results came as Democrats sought to overturn the Republican majority in the 100-member Senate. Republicans entered the elections with 53 seats, while Democrats held 45 and two independents caucused with them.

Democrats need a net gain of four seats to secure control of the chamber, with several closely contested races still undecided.