Roy Cooper

Roy Cooper
Name	Roy Cooper
Order	75th
Office	Governor of North Carolina
Lieutenant	Dan Forest, Mark Robinson
Term start	January 1, 2017
Predecessor	Pat McCrory
Office1	49th Attorney General of North Carolina
Governor1	Mike Easley, Bev Perdue, Pat McCrory
Term start1	January 6, 2001
Term end1	January 1, 2017
Predecessor1	Mike Easley
Successor1	Josh Stein
Office2	Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate
Term start2	1997
Term end2	2001
Predecessor2	Tony Rand
Successor2	Marc Basnight
State senate3	North Carolina
District3	10th (1991–2003), 7th (1987–1991)
Term start3	January 1, 1987
Term end3	January 6, 2001
Predecessor3	John Thomas Henley Sr.
Successor3	A. B. Swindell
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Kristin B. Cooper
Education	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA, JD)

Roy Cooper is an American politician and attorney serving as the 75th Governor of North Carolina since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 49th Attorney General of North Carolina from 2001 to 2017 and as a member of the North Carolina Senate from 1987 to 2001. His tenure as governor has been marked by significant policy clashes with the Republican-controlled legislature and his leadership during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early life and education

Roy Cooper was born in Nashville, North Carolina, and grew up on his family's farm. He attended Nashville High School before enrolling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He remained at the university to attend the University of North Carolina School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree. During his time as a student, he was elected student body president and served as an intern for Congressman Ike Andrews.

Early career

After law school, Cooper practiced law in his hometown of Nashville. He entered public service in 1986 when he was elected to represent the 7th district in the North Carolina Senate. He later represented the 10th district and rose to become the chamber's Majority Leader. During his legislative tenure, he focused on issues such as education reform and economic development, working alongside figures like Marc Basnight and Tony Rand.

Governor of North Carolina

Cooper was elected governor in 2016, narrowly defeating incumbent Republican Pat McCrory in a contest that followed the passage of House Bill 2. His administration has frequently clashed with the North Carolina General Assembly, leading to numerous vetoes and legal battles over issues including Medicaid expansion, voting rights, and judicial appointments. He gained national attention for his management of the COVID-19 pandemic, issuing executive orders on public health measures that were often challenged by the Republican legislature. He was re-elected in 2020, defeating Dan Forest.

Political positions

Cooper is a pro-business moderate Democrat who supports expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a key point of contention with the General Assembly. He has advocated for increased funding for public education and environmental protection, often opposing efforts by the Republican majority on issues like renewable energy and carbon emissions. He is a proponent of LGBTQ+ rights and vetoed the 2016 bathroom bill, though he has also signed some legislation restricting abortion access. On economic policy, he has worked to attract major corporations like Apple Inc. and Toyota to the state.

Electoral history

Cooper first won statewide office in 2000, being elected Attorney General; he was re-elected in 2004, 2008, and 2012. In the 2016 gubernatorial election, he defeated incumbent Pat McCrory by a narrow margin after a prolonged election recount. He won a second term in the 2020 election, defeating Republican nominee Dan Forest by a wider margin. His victories have been attributed to strong support in urban areas like Charlotte and the Research Triangle.

Personal life

Cooper is married to Kristin Cooper, a former magazine editor and First Lady of North Carolina who is active in advocacy for the arts and historic preservation. They have three adult daughters and reside in the Executive Mansion in Raleigh. He is a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and maintains close ties to his hometown of Nashville, North Carolina. An avid runner, he has participated in multiple Marine Corps Marathons.

Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Governors of North Carolina Category:North Carolina Attorneys General Category:North Carolina state senators Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni Category:Democratic Party governors of North Carolina