North Carolina voters elect Roy Cooper, state’s first Democratic senator in 10 years

State’s ex-governor bests Michael Whatley, ex-chair of Republican National Committee, by focusing on lower costs

• US midterm elections – live updates

• Track live results from all 50 states

Roy Cooper, North Carolina’s former governor, was elected to represent the state in the US Senate, marking the first time in 10 years voters sent a Democrat to US Congress’ upper chamber.

Cooper defeated Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chair, to succeed Thom Tillis, the outgoing US senator.