Former Governor Roy Cooper has officially launched his campaign for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat, announcing his bid on X. Undefeated in statewide elections, Cooper is seen as the early Democratic frontrunner. Fellow Democrat Wiley Nickel is expected to suspend his campaign and endorse Cooper later this week.

Catawba College Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what Cooper’s Senate run could mean for the race ahead.