NRSC Launches Massive Vetting Operation in North Carolina Ahead of 2026 Senate Battle
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the national group charged with helping elect Republicans to the United States Senate, announced a massive public records effort to hold the Democrats likely 2026 Senate nominee accountable. The NRSC submitted over 200 public records requests related to former Governor Roy Cooper’s tenure, including his response to hurricane recovery, his political allies, and other various aspects of state business. Additionally, the NRSC filed public records request to unearth documents about Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s current tenure, and former Rep. Wiley Nickel’s time as a state senator.
"Republicans have held both North Carolina Senate seats for a decade now and the NRSC's work to ensure that streak continues has already begun," said NRSC Communications Director Joanna Rodriguez. "We will leave no stone unturned and give voters the chance to litigate every aspect of the Democrat candidates' records. In the end, whoever becomes the nominee will end in losses just like the disgraced Cal Cunningham and Cheri Beasley."
In 2008, then-Attorney General Roy Cooper released a guide for state employees on how to respond to public records requests, where he boldly proclaimed:
“North Carolina’s public record laws are critical to operating a fair and open government and require careful study and practice to uphold.”
“The spirit with which public officials work to comply with the law is as important as the law itself. Recognizing that the public’s business should be done in the open and honoring requests to help serves the people as well as those who seek to inform them. In fact, the policy of the state of North Carolina is to allow public access to the activities of government.”
“In other words, when in doubt about how to interpret the state’s open records and meetings laws – always work to resolve the question in favor of openness.”
Despite these grandiose claims, over the decades, former Gov. Cooper’s has declined to operate in a transparent manner. Here are some of the headlines from over the years:
The News and Observer: ‘NC GOP threatens to seek court order if Cooper doesn’t start delivering public records’
WRAL Campaign Promise Tracker First Term: ‘Provide public records in a timely manner. Promise: Broken’
NC Watchdog Reporting Network: ‘Some NC agencies slow to turn over details of leaders’ daily schedules’
Tim’s Take: North Carolina government agencies often take months, sometimes years, to respond to public records requests. By filing these requests well ahead of the 2026 election, the NRSC is taking responsible action to prepare for what may be the most expensive Senate race in American history. Given the source of these requests, Cooper’s team will likely work to deny as many as possible, providing Republicans the opportunity to highlight Cooper’s continued lack of transparency.
