Roy Cooper Wins North Carolina Senate Seat, Pledges to End Iran War

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has won the state’s United States Senate seat, defeating Republican Michael Whatley in Tuesday’s midterm elections and flipping the seat for Democrats.

Cooper, a moderate who served two terms as governor, becomes the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from North Carolina since 2008. He replaces outgoing Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who chose not to seek re-election after becoming a frequent critic of President Donald Trump.

According to Al Jazeera, Cooper consistently led Whatley in polls throughout the campaign, prompting Republicans to pull funding from Whatley’s bid. Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman, has acknowledged the election result.

In his victory speech in Raleigh, Cooper addressed supporters and pledged to take on what he called “chaos and corruption in Washington.” He also promised to work towards ending the US war against Iran, a statement likely to resonate with audiences across the Gulf region.

“We have to work to make healthcare, housing, and groceries more affordable, to end this war and stop the pain at the pump,” Cooper said.

Cooper’s win is notable in a state that has narrowly voted for Trump in all three of his presidential campaigns. His victory could help Democrats in their effort to regain control of the Senate.