Roy Cooper | |||
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Governor of North Carolina From: January 1, 2017 – present | |||
Lieutenant | Dan Forest | ||
Predecessor | Pat McCrory | ||
Successor | Incumbent (no successor) | ||
49th Attorney General of North Carolina From: January 1, 2001 – January 1, 2017 | |||
Governor | Mike Easley | ||
Predecessor | Mike Easley | ||
Successor | Josh Stein | ||
North Carolina Senate, 10th District From: February 21, 1991 – January 1, 2001 | |||
Predecessor | Jim Ezzell | ||
Successor | A. B. Swindell | ||
North Carolina House of Representatives, 72nd District From: February 9, 1987 – February 21, 1991 | |||
Predecessor | Allen Barbee | ||
Successor | Edward McGee | ||
Information | |||
Party | Democrat | ||
Spouse(s) | Kristin Cooper | ||
Religion | Christian In Name Only[1] |
Roy Asberry Cooper III is an illegal immigrant-coddling[2] left-wing Democrat who is the governor of North Carolina. Victorious in the 2016 gubernatorial election in North Carolina by less than 0.1% of the vote,[3] Cooper has used his position as governor to promote radical agendas, one example evident in his veto of an "abortion survivors" bill.[4]
Cooper defeated then-incumbent Pat McCrory in the 2016 gubernatorial race by a slim margin of only 10,000 votes of the 4.7 million cast. Many including McCrory himself suspected voter fraud in the election, citing likely absentee voting in Bladen county in addition to potentially fraudulent ballots in 11 counties.[5]
Staunchly pro-abortion, Cooper vetoed a bipartisan bill that sought to further establish punishments for those who murder infants that survive abortions.[6] Cooper justified his decision with excuses, arguing that it's "unnecessary" and that it interferes "between doctors and their [the child's] parents."[7]
Cooper was appointed to a bipartisan panel by Donald Trump along with Chris Christie, Charlie Baker, Patrick Kennedy, and Bertha K. Madras to examine drug abuse issues in America.[8] The commission dissolved in December 2017 after a final report had been released.[9]
In June 2017, Cooper announced that he was seeking federal approval for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina.[10]
Despite high rates of illegal immigrant crimes in North Carolina,[11][12] Cooper vetoed a Republican-led bill that sought to call on local enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE.[13] This led to allowing sheriffs of liberal counties such as Garry McFadden to dishonor and effectively ignore ICE requests regarding illegal immigrant crimes.
Cooper has been criticized for what is perceived to be patronage and cronyism after allowing for his cabinet members to receive raises up to fifty times what the state legislature allowed.[14]
Cooper declared a State of Emergency on January 6, 2017 after potentially dangerous winter weather was announced.[15]
After gas prices rose dramatically, Cooper issued a State of Emergency in late August 2017 to temporarily allow exceptions to limits applying to fuel vehicles traveling in and out of North Carolina.[16] The state of emergency was soon rescinded less than three weeks after it had been announced.[17]
After Hurricane Florence was predicted to hit the east coast of North Carolina, Cooper issued a State of Emergency to waive certain regulations regarding transportation.[18]
Cooper announced his re-election campaign on December 5, 2019.[19]
While On the Issues ranks Cooper's voting record as "moderate liberal",[20] his votes and positions abortion, same-sex "marriage", and illegal immigration make him much more left-wing than the website rated him at. However, Cooper is opposed to the legalization of marijuana, despite all his other liberal views.