Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
58.5%
19%
2028 Democratic presidential nominee
$123.9M
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Governor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age68 years old (Jun 13, 1957)
GenderMale
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LocationNorth Carolina
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — B.A., 1979
Notable personal detailsRoy Asberry Cooper III is an American politician and attorney who served as the 75th governor of North Carolina (2017–2025) after serving as North Carolina attorney general (2001–2017) and in the North Carolina General Assembly (1987–2001). He earned both his B.A. and J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked as a lawyer in private practice before holding statewide office. He is married to Kristin Bernhardt Cooper and they have three daughters.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orggovroycooper.orgnga.orgcongress.govwikidata.orgdiff.wikimedia.orgdarrinbaines.orggovernor.nc.govapnews.comwect.combritannica.comes.wikipedia.orgm.wikidata.orgnc.govdncr.nc.govarchives.govdoa.nc.govarxiv.orgupload.wikimedia.orgwikitech-static.wikimedia.orgnews.bloombergtax.comroycooper.comncdhhs.govimmigrationforum.orgontheissues.orgcbsnews.comdeq.nc.govcommerce.nc.govsenate.govdurbin.senate.govdemocrats.senate.govcrapo.senate.govthune.senate.govgovinfo.govhelp.senate.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgcdn.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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Roy Cooper is projected to win, and is reported to have secured, the Democratic nomination for North Carolina’s 2026 U.S. Senate race. He will face Republican nominee Michael Whatley, who is backed by Donald Trump, in what is expected to be a highly competitive and expensive general election for the open seat. Official primary results are expected to be certified on March 13, 2026.
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Articles
WWJLA3 months ago
Roy Cooper is the projected Democratic nominee for US Senate
Positive
CNCBS News3 months ago
Whatley, Cooper win North Carolina primaries, CBS News projects, teeing up key Senate contest
Positive
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
Cooper vs. Whatley
Positive
FNFox News3 months ago
Michael Whatley, Roy Cooper win North Carolina Senate primaries for November election
Neutral
Polls
North Carolina Democratic Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
North Carolina Democratic Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Roy Cooper for North Carolina Democratic Senate nominee?
Wiley Nickel
Public figure
Wiley Nickel endorsed Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Josh Stein
Public figure
Josh Stein endorsed Roy Cooper for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$26.8M
$20.1M
$13.4M
$6.7M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$26.8M
$18.5M
$8.4M
$557.8K
Source: FEC