Strategists say Cooper’s entry makes North Carolina a more difficult seat for the GOP to hold, though a Democrat hasn’t won a Senate race in the traditionally competitive state since 2008.

North Carolinians are feeling the pinch of the economy, with 38% of respondents citing it as their biggest worry in a recent Emerson College Polling survey, while 40% said they are worse off ...

The former governor is six points up in what will be one of the most competitive Senate races in the country next year.