Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday that a recent Supreme Court decision striking down federal limits on coordinated campaign spending between candidates and national political parties could benefit his U.S. Senate opponent, former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley.

On MS Now, the Democratic nominee called the ruling the "worst campaign finance decision since Citizens United" and argued it would strengthen the financial advantages available to his Republican opponent.

"Probably it will affect my race more than any others in that it empowers political parties, it empowers wealthy people," Cooper said. "And my opponent, Michael Whatley, was the chairman of the RNC, so he has access to all of that."

The Supreme Court ruled June 30 in a 6-3 decision that established federal limits on how much national political parties may spend in coordination with federal candidates violate the First Amendment.

The case was brought by Republican plaintiffs, including Vice President JD Vance, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and other Republican organizations.

The ruling allows the Republican National Committee, Democratic National Committee, and other national party committees to make unlimited expenditures in coordination with federal campaigns.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, said the restrictions infringed on constitutionally protected political speech. The decision overturned a 2001 Supreme Court precedent that had upheld the spending caps.

Cooper argued the ruling expands the influence of wealthy donors and party organizations while diminishing the role of grassroots contributors.

"We really need now more than ever to stand up to this big money," Cooper said. "We need to get rid of Citizens United and its effects, and we need people that are elected who will be willing to stand up to do that, and I will."

He also warned the decision would permit "virtually unlimited spending" by political parties and said it "takes away the power from the small donors."

The ruling builds on the court's landmark 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, which held that corporations and labor unions may spend unlimited amounts independently to advocate for or against candidates. That decision reshaped campaign finance by fueling the rise of super PACs and other outside groups backed by wealthy donors.

In dissent, Justice Elena Kagan, joined by the court's two other liberal justices, argued the majority improperly discarded congressional safeguards intended to prevent corruption and circumvention of campaign contribution limits. She warned that removing coordination limits creates a path for large donors to exert greater influence over federal candidates.

The decision is expected to reshape campaign strategy ahead of the 2026 midterm elections because coordinated spending allows parties and candidates to work together on advertising and messaging while benefiting from lower candidate advertising rates.

Republican committees are widely viewed as entering the new landscape with a fundraising advantage, although Democrats have maintained strong small-dollar fundraising operations.

North Carolina's open Senate race is expected to rank among the nation's most competitive and expensive contests. Cooper, who served two terms as governor, is seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. He faces Whatley, the former RNC leader backed by President Donald Trump, in a race that could help determine control of the Senate after the 2026 elections.