Democrat Looking To Drop Out

RALEIGH, NC — In a surprising twist, Democrat Wiley Nickel may be dropping his campaign for U.S. Senate—just months after launching it. Multiple reports now confirm that Nickel, a one-term former congressman, is seriously considering switching races to run for District Attorney in Wake County, North Carolina’s most populous jurisdiction.

Nickel’s exit would clear the way for former liberal Governor Roy Cooper, who is widely expected to enter the Senate race next week. Many Democrat insiders see Cooper as their party’s best hope to capture the soon-to-be-open seat left behind by retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis.

Sen. Tillis, who won reelection in 2020 in what became the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history, announced in June he would not seek another term. His departure followed friction with President Donald J. Trump, who strongly opposed Tillis’s stance on a key conservative spending package often referred to as the “big, beautiful bill.” Trump’s open criticism signaled a coming shift in Republican leadership—and it’s already taking shape.

Now, all eyes are on Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, a close Trump ally and North Carolina native, who is expected to run with full backing from both the RNC and President Trump himself. For conservative voters, Whatley represents a dependable, America First alternative to the Biden-backed political establishment.

If Cooper runs, the 2026 Senate race is poised to become one of the most watched—and most expensive—battles in the country. The Cook Political Report has already rated it a toss-up, underscoring the high stakes for both parties. But momentum is clearly shifting toward Republicans, as Trump-endorsed candidates continue to dominate primary polls nationwide.

Nickel’s potential retreat reflects deeper concerns within the Democrat Party about its ability to hold—or flip—Senate seats. After losing ground in recent cycles, Democrats now need to flip four Senate seats to retake control of the upper chamber. That path has narrowed as President Trump’s influence grows stronger, energizing conservative voters across rural and suburban counties alike.

Meanwhile, Cooper carries the baggage of his pandemic-era lockdowns, school closures, and left-wing policies that alienated working-class voters. His entry into the race may energize the Democrat base, but it’s also likely to unify Republican voters behind a clear alternative—especially with President Trump leading the charge.

As 2026 draws closer, North Carolina is becoming a national bellwether. Will voters choose a progressive insider from the Biden-Cooper wing of the party—or a bold, Trump-backed leader focused on border security, law and order, and economic freedom?

Stay tuned. This is one race that could decide the balance of power in Washington—and the future of conservative values in America.