Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
58.5%
19%
Democrat
Roy Cooper
North Carolina Republican Senate nominee?
$222.9K
MAR 4, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Governor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age69 years old (Jun 13, 1957)
GenderMale
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LocationNorth Carolina
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA)
Notable personal detailsRoy Asberry Cooper III is an American politician and attorney who served as the 75th Governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025 and as North Carolina Attorney General from 2001 to 2017. He previously served in the North Carolina General Assembly, including as Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate. He earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and practiced law in eastern North Carolina.
SourcesShowHide
govroycooper.orgen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgdiff.wikimedia.orgde.wikipedia.orgbiographytree.comupload.wikimedia.orgm.wikidata.orgwikidataexplorer.comwikiframe.library.unlv.eduarxiv.orgednc.orgcongress.govapnews.comnews.bloombergtax.comroycooper.comgovernor.nc.govncdhhs.govimmigrationforum.orgontheissues.orgcbsnews.comdeq.nc.govcommerce.nc.govafge.orgncpssm.orgaflcionc.orgeenews.netdmfipac.orgreproductivefreedomforall.orggiffords.orglcv.orgncae.orgpbs.orgwunc.orgnytimes.comabc11.comthetimes.comc-span.orgstartribune.comwfae.orgwashingtonexaminer.comncnewsline.comcharlotteobserver.comnewsweek.comomeganetworkforaction.orgballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgnga.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports preserving or restoring higher tax rates for corporations and top earners relative to scheduled cuts while favoring targeted tax relief for middle-class families and increased investments in education and services. Advocates using state revenue to fund teacher pay, child care, Medicaid expansion and other public priorities rather than further broad tax reductions.
Healthcare
Roy Cooper has prioritized expanding public health coverage and strengthening Medicaid in North Carolina, leading efforts to enact Medicaid expansion (effective Dec 1, 2023) and to enroll hundreds of thousands of newly eligible residents. His administration has also pushed investments in mental and behavioral health, relief of medical debt, and pilot programs addressing social drivers of health for Medicaid recipients. There is no evidence he supports single-payer/Medicare-for-All.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protections for refugees and Dreamers and has opposed state laws that would require sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration detainers; has used gubernatorial proclamations welcoming migrants and refugees. Has repeatedly vetoed state bills increasing mandatory local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, while expressing some caution in specific refugee-screening contexts in the past.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and restoring broad access to abortion and reproductive health care, has issued statements and an executive order to protect abortion access in North Carolina, and has opposed state legislative efforts to impose stricter bans. Seeks to keep decisions about abortion with patients and clinicians and has urged courts and voters to restore constitutional protections for abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Roy Cooper has issued multiple executive orders and state initiatives setting near- and long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets, established goals for large-scale offshore wind development, and directed state agencies to transition toward a clean energy economy while promoting clean energy job growth and federal funding for related projects.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun-safety measures such as maintaining strong background checks, safe-storage initiatives, and creation of an Office of Violence Prevention while describing responsible gun ownership; has vetoed state legislation that would eliminate sheriff-conducted handgun background checks.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Roy Cooper is in the news because he is running for the open North Carolina U.S. Senate seat, and early polling has shown him ahead of Republican Michael Whatley in a race that could help decide Senate control. The campaign has also turned into a fight over crime and prison releases, with Republicans attacking Cooper over COVID-era and other early releases from his time as governor. Cooper has rejected blame and says the attacks are meant to hurt his campaign, while his team is highlighting his public safety record.
govroycooper.org+54
Articles
WEWashington Examiner1 month ago
Roy Cooper promotes record on crime despite GOP attacks felon releases
Negative
CCNBC1 month ago
Roy Cooper North Carolina race could help decide control of the next Senate
Positive
NNewsweek2 months ago
Roy Cooper's Chances of Beating Whatley to Flip North Carolina's GOP Senate Seat Surge-New Poll
Positive
FNFox News2 months ago
Cooper faces soft-on-crime claims from critics ahead of NC Senate race
Negative
Polls
North Carolina Democratic Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
North Carolina Republican Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Roy Cooper for North Carolina Republican Senate nominee?
North Carolina AFL-CIO
Labor organization
The North Carolina AFL-CIO endorsed Roy Cooper in the March 3 primary.
National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare PAC
Political organization
The National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare PAC endorsed Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate.
Reproductive Freedom for All
Public endorsement
Reproductive Freedom for All endorsed Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate.
American Federation of Government Employees
Public endorsement
AFGE endorsed Roy Cooper for election to the U.S. Senate.
North Carolina Association of Educators and National Education Association
Advocacy group
NCAE and the NEA endorsed Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate.
Giffords PAC
Political organization
GIFFORDS PAC endorsed Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$35.0M
$26.2M
$17.5M
$8.7M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$35.0M
$20.7M
$14.3M
$792.1K
Source: FEC