Former Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) is ending his campaign for North Carolina’s Senate seat and endorsing Roy Cooper, a day after the former governor launched his much-anticipated bid.
Nickel said in a statement on X on Tuesday that working alongside Cooper while he served in the state Senate and in Congress was an “honor,” and Cooper’s “steady, bipartisan leadership” has made a difference.
“And for many of us, including me, he’s been an inspiration to step up and serve,” Nickel said. “I proudly endorse Roy Cooper for US Senate and look forward to doing everything I can to help him flip this Senate seat from red to blue.”
Nickel’s decision was expected after Democrats notched a major recruitment win in getting their ideal candidate to run for the seat held by retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Cooper brings a long background in North Carolina politics and a track record as a popular former two-term governor.
Nickel entered the race months earlier, before Tillis announced he wouldn’t seek another term in office, but Democrats’ eyes had been on Cooper, seeing him as their best chance of flipping the seat.
Cooper said in his announcement video that he “never really” wanted to go to Washington, D.C., and only wanted to serve the people of North Carolina in his own state, but the times required him to run.
Nickel served one term in the House before he decided against running for reelection after redistricting made his district much more conservative leaning. He said in his statement that he still has “a lot of work left to do.”
“Public service is part of who I am and you’ll hear more from me soon,” he said.
Semafor reported that Nickel is considering a bid for district attorney in Wake County.
The Republican primary to try to succeed Tillis is still forming, but Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley is expected to enter the race soon with backing from President Trump. This would come after Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, decided against running for the seat despite speculation that she would.
With Trump’s support and Whatley being one of the top GOP officials in the country, he would be a clear favorite for the Republican nomination.
The race for the seat is also expected to be tight in the battleground state. Democrats haven’t won a Senate seat in North Carolina since 2008, but they’ve had more success on the state level and are hoping Cooper is the right candidate to finally get over the hurdle.
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