Former Governor Roy Cooper Enters U.S. Senate Race After Heavy Recruitment Efforts From National Democrats
Today, former Governor Roy Cooper announced his campaign for the United States Senate. Cooper was a top recruit by national Democrats who are looking a reliable candidate in the Tar Heel state.
The United States Senate currently has 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats. Democrats would need to net three seats to gain the majority in the upper chamber. In order to secure a majority, Democrats need to win senate races in Maine, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida, while defending Michigan, Minnesota, Georgia, and New Hampshire. North Carolina remains one of the most competitive seats in country, and Democrats see this as key state for them to build secure a Senate majority.
About Roy Cooper
Roy Ashbury Cooper is from Rocky Mount North Carolina. He attended Northern Nash High School and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill for his undergraduate and law degree. He was first elected to the North Carolian House in 1985, then to the North Carolina Senate in 1986. While in the General Assembly Cooper led of criminal justice issues, and redistricting.
In 2000, Cooper was elected Attorney General, as his long time political ally Mike Easily was elected Governor. Cooper served as Attorney General until he was narrowly elected Governor in 2016 and reelected in 2020.
Cooper’s time as governor was largely marked by fighting with the Republican legislature and questionable responses to disasters like hurricanes and COVID.
Republican response.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee released its ad immediately after Cooper’s announcement.
“Roy Cooper is a Democrat lapdog who spent his time as Governor sabotaging President Trump, doing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' bidding, releasing violent illegal aliens into North Carolina streets, and championing radical transgender ideology,” said NRSC Communications Director Joanna Rodriguez. “When Hurricane Helene hit, Cooper's gross mismanagement left over 100 North Carolinians dead and an estimated $53 billion in damage to businesses, homes, and infrastructure. North Carolina wants a senator who will champion working families, safety, and American values, not an incompetent, far-left career politician like Cooper who will wreck everything they care about.”
