Roy Cooper
Governor Roy Cooper is North Carolina’s 75th governor. After earning a law degree from
UNC-Chapel Hill, he went to practice law in Nash County. Cooper entered politics by running
for and being elected to the NC House in 1986, moved up to the Senate in 1991, and
then became Attorney General in 2000. His platform includes expanding access to Medicaid,
increased funding for public schools, and tasking a Reentry Access Plan for those transitioning
from a life behind bars. He is seeking a second term against current Lt. Governor
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Candidates for Governor
Legacy—the Future
We often talk about the importance of leaving a legacy. As
governor, what do you envision your legacy will be?
Roy Cooper: I’m not that concerned about a personal
legacy as I am accomplishing my mission. I want a
North Carolina where people are better educated,
healthier and have more money in their pockets so
people can live lives of purpose and abundance. Having
been a public employee for over 30 years, I know how
important it is to have great public employees to help
accomplish that mission.
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repeal of the discriminatory legislation known as HB2
that was hurting our people, our state and our economy.
At the time, I described HB2 as “a dark cloud
hanging over our great state.” It stained our reputation,
discriminated against our people and caused great economic
harm in many of our communities.
Fortunately, since then, we’ve worked to get North
Carolina back on the right track. As Governor, I’ve
fought for good-paying jobs, strong public schools,
access to quality, affordable health care, and a more
prosperous North Carolina.
During this pandemic, I will continue to make the
tough decisions based on science and data while put-
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are slowing the spread of the virus while helping the
unemployed, our schools and teachers and our small
businesses.
We have made progress, but there’s more work
to do. I am committed to getting us through this pandemic,
as well as rebuilding North Carolina even stronger
than before.
Dan Forest: When people ask me what I’d like to be
known for, I tell them that I’d like to be known as the
Innovation Governor.
The world is getting smaller, but competition is getting
bigger. Every state in America and every country in
the world are competing for the same jobs.
North Carolina must compete. We need a new
vision, a thoughtful plan, and the right team to lead us
into the future.
But in the short term, I will be the Governor that
replaced fear with hope in the midst of the current
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will act like Americans have always done: Figuring out
how to move forward and overcome all challenges, not
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Cost of Living Adjustment—Pensions
Over the last 12 years, retirees have received little in
the way of cost of living adjustments. They need these
adjustments now more than ever. What have you done
to address this need and what are you willing to do to
address it going forward?
Roy Cooper: As Governor, I have consistently put forward
a cost of living adjustment for retirees. Last year,
Dan Forest.
Dan Forest
Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest is the 34th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina and is
running for governor of North Carolina. Forest graduated from UNC-Charlotte with two
degrees from the College of Architecture. He served as president and partner of Little
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favor of replacing it with a tax based on consumption. As a voting member of the State
Board of Education, Forest has expressed support for a school voucher program for all,
regardless of income. Currently on his second term as Lt. Governor, Forest is challenging
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