Other speakers throughout the night hinted at a Cooper candidacy. Saturday's event was headlined by Illinois Gov. JB Prizker, who, taking the stage after Cooper's speech, called out, "Thank you Governor Cooper, thank you Senator Cooper!"

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper Saturday night gave his strongest indication yet that he would seek an open U.S. Senate seat next year while speaking at a state Democratic Party event in Raleigh.

North Carolina will be at the center of the 2026 midterm elections, with a marquee U.S. Senate race that’s expected to attract big names given the high stakes for the balance of power in the federal government.