Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee leader Michael Whatley won their respective party primaries this week, setting up a high-stakes Senate race that could determine control of the chamber.

Cooper, who served two terms as governor and has won every state office campaign he has entered over four decades, faces a historical challenge. North Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 2008, despite regularly electing Democratic governors. Republicans have won the state in presidential elections in all but two contests since 1976.

Whatley, who previously served as Trump's chosen Republican National Committee chairman, enters the race with the former president's full endorsement but limited name recognition as a first-time candidate. A former political staffer and lobbyist, Whatley has deep connections in Raleigh and Washington but less direct exposure to voters.

The race is expected to draw hundreds of millions in campaign spending as Democrats need to gain four Senate seats to win a majority. Republicans plan to portray Cooper as too liberal for the state, while Cooper positions himself as an independent voice who would work across party lines when beneficial for North Carolina.

Key issues in the campaign include immigration policy, with Republicans criticizing Cooper's veto of legislation requiring sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration agents. Democrats are emphasizing healthcare, pointing to Cooper's successful push for Medicaid expansion during his governorship.

Both candidates must navigate Trump's influence in the race. Cooper has avoided harsh personal criticism of Trump while opposing specific policies, likely recognizing that some Trump supporters voted for him as governor. Whatley has fully embraced the Trump endorsement, calling the former president's leadership transformative for the country.