Posted on 07/23/2025 1:49:40 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is planning to launch a run for Senate, according to two sources familiar with his plans, handing Democrats a top candidate in a state that will be central to the fight for the majority.
Axios, which broke the news of Cooper's expected bid, reported that he is expected to enter the race next week, according to multiple sources.
Morgan Jackson, Cooper’s top political advisor, would not confirm Cooper's plans but said that the former governor would share more about his plans in the coming days. Cooper is also listed as a speaker at the North Carolina Democratic Party's “Unity Dinner” on Saturday.
Democrats have long touted Cooper, 68, as a formidable candidate, given his record of winning statewide races in the perennial battleground state.
“North Carolina is one of the most competitive races in the country and Roy Cooper would be a force to be reckoned with if he enters the field,” said Lauren French, a spokesperson for Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Former Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel launched a Senate bid in April, but it’s not clear if he’ll stay in the race if Cooper jumps in. Nickel told Spectrum News, “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” when asked about the prospect that Cooper could run for Senate.
Cooper was first elected governor in 2016 after serving four terms as the state’s attorney general. He defeated the Republican governor at the time, Pat McCrory, by around 10,000 votes even as President Donald Trump won the state by nearly 4 points. Cooper won a second term in 2020 by 4 points while Trump again carried North Carolina by 1 point. Term limits barred Cooper from running for a third term last year.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
Like vampires sucking blood.
The last poll out showed tillis would have lost by 19 to copper….but tied with a pro Trump Republican. I wonder if Lara Trump would win this
50/50. She is probably the only person who can beat Roy Cooper.
2016 President R U.S. Senator R Lt. Gov R Gov D
2020 President R U.S. Senator R Lt. Gov R Gov D
It looked suspicious then and it still looks suspicious now.
For whatever reason, the NC GOP tend to select the lamest possible candidate for Governor.
It’s Durham.
She could win
He was in charge during the Hurricane Helene debacle.
Look at how well Governors DeSantis and Abbot responded to similar situations.
Does North Carolina like their punishment?
50/50.
I say that today she's less likely to run because she has a comfortable media career and she's raising a young family. Now she has to run against Roy Cooper?
I think she won't run.
She should run. Family? It’s extended. She’ll have a lot of support. Reminds me of the late actor Richard Harris turning down Harry Potter role. His granddaughters opinion-look it up.
She can afford a nanny if that's what she wants to do. She will definitely have to spend time tending to her constituents.
Since 1900 the
Democrats have picked .... 24
Republicans have picked .. 3
Going further back in history to 1729 it is mostly
Democrat with a mix of Republican/Conservative
Surprise!
Gomer Cooper is gonna run.
Guess I get to vote against him one more time.
By 1990, you would think that the NC GOP would finally start to select decent candidates for the Governor.
At least they've been pretty consistent with the Senate so can't complain there (well, maybe a little 😉)
If Lara had thrown her scarf into the ring earlier would it have scared him off? We’ll never know. Perhaps his early intention was to scare her off.
She’s not running, latest is that RNC chair Michael Whatley will be doing it.
Roy Cooper will win easily. Probably with 52% of the vote.
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