Roy Cooper
Former Governor of North Carolina · Democratic · North Carolina
Roy Cooper is a former two-term North Carolina governor and longtime state attorney general, and the leading Democrat in North Carolina’s open 2026 U.S. Senate race.
Profile last updated Sep 6, 2026 · Center Field Politics
Summary
A popular former governor with a moderate brand and a record of winning statewide in a closely divided battleground.
Recent Action
Entered North Carolina’s open 2026 U.S. Senate race as the leading Democratic candidate.
Where They Stand
Stances on the issues many voters care most about. Where a candidate has not given a clear answer we mark it "Mixed / Partial" or "Unclear" rather than guess. Positions are drawn from official records and bias-labeled news sources; they are descriptive only and are never scored.
Environment—Supports3
Climate protections and regulation versus fewer climate-related regulations on industry.
Backs clean-energy goals and coastal-resilience investment.
Healthcare—Supports31
Expanding healthcare coverage for all versus expanding market-based, private insurance.
A leading proponent of Medicaid expansion and expanding coverage.
Second Amendment—Supports3
New firearm regulations versus no new firearm regulations.
Supports expanded background checks and firearm-safety measures.
Immigration—Supports3
Pathways to citizenship versus a closed-border approach.
Supports comprehensive reform with a pathway to citizenship.
Roe v. Wade—Supports3
Protecting access to abortion versus restricting access to abortion.
Supports abortion-access protections; vetoed further restrictions as governor.
National Security—Mixed / Partial3
Whether diplomacy or military strength should be the primary national-security priority.
Emphasizes diplomacy and congressional authorization; no clear position on the 2025 strikes.
Party Loyalty
Party-line alignment on major recorded votes.