Other speakers throughout the night hinted at a Cooper candidacy. Saturday's event was headlined by Illinois Gov. JB Prizker, who, taking the stage after Cooper's speech, called out, "Thank you Governor Cooper, thank you Senator Cooper!"

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper appears to be running for Senate. The former governor addressed the elephant in the room at the NC Democrats Unity Dinner in Raleigh Saturday evening. Cooper did not plainly state that he would be running,

At tonight’s NC Democrat Unity Dinner, former Gov. Roy Cooper hinted at running for Senate, after Senator Tom Tillis announced he is not running for reelection.

Democrat Wiley Nickel is expected to suspend his campaign for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat and endorse former Gov. Roy Cooper in the race, people directly familiar with Nickel’s plans told WRAL on Friday.

Since Sen. Thom Tillis said he wouldn’t seek a third term, eyes have been on the former North Carolina governor to run in the Democratic primary.