Who Is Roy Cooper? North Carolina’s Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senate

Roy Cooper, former governor of North Carolina, announced his run for the U.S. Senate this week. At 68 years old, Cooper is a well-known figure in North Carolina politics. He has never lost an election in his long career.

Who Is Roy Cooper?

Cooper served two terms as governor, winning in 2016 and 2020. Due to term limits, he stepped down on December 31, 2024. Before becoming governor, he worked as an attorney and served in the North Carolina House of Representatives starting in 1987. Then he moved to the state Senate in 1991.

After 10 years in the Senate, Cooper was elected attorney general of North Carolina. He served four terms in that role. In 2022, he was the chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

Cooper was once considered a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. But he declined quietly, saying it was not the right time for him or North Carolina. He remained a strong supporter of Harris and spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

During his time as governor, Cooper worked with Republican leaders in the state legislature. Despite political differences, they made deals on big issues like Medicaid expansion and bringing new jobs to North Carolina.

Cooper focused on education, teacher pay raises, infrastructure, and climate change. However, some criticized his COVID-19 restrictions and his slow hurricane relief efforts. He also issued many pardons and commutations, including changing the sentences of 15 death row inmates to life in prison without parole.

Roy Cooper is from Nashville, North Carolina. His father was a lawyer and farmer, and his mother was a teacher. Cooper is married to Kristin Cooper, an attorney, and they have three adult daughters.

Now, Cooper aims to bring his experience and leadership to the U.S. Senate, hoping to continue serving North Carolina on a national level.