North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper Reflects on Legacy

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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper Reflects on Legacy \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper concludes an eight-year tenure marked by major successes in Medicaid expansion and clean energy, alongside challenges with abortion restrictions and school vouchers. As he leaves office, Cooper reflects on his leadership during crises like hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and cultural flashpoints. His political future remains undecided, with speculation about a potential Senate bid in 2026.

Roy Cooper’s Leadership in North Carolina: Quick Look

Medicaid Expansion: Secured healthcare coverage for 600,000 low-income residents, a significant bipartisan achievement.
Clean Energy Progress: Passed a landmark energy bill reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Challenges: Lost battles over school vouchers, abortion restrictions, and other GOP-led initiatives.
Legacy: Seen as a steadfast progressive voice in a politically divided state.
Future Plans: Contemplating next steps after leaving office, with speculation about a Senate run.

Deep Look:

Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina is concluding an eight-year tenure that showcased his ability to navigate a politically polarized environment. As a Democrat in a state with a Republican-controlled legislature, Cooper strategically picked his battles, achieving notable victories in healthcare and clean energy while facing setbacks in education and reproductive rights. His leadership during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, major hurricanes, and a controversial “bathroom bill” left a lasting impact on the state’s political and cultural landscape.

Major Achievements

Medicaid Expansion: One of Cooper’s most significant accomplishments was persuading Republican legislators to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. This long-sought policy extended healthcare coverage to 600,000 low-income North Carolinians, with enrollment surpassing expectations. Cooper hailed it as a “generational investment in people’s health.”

Clean Energy Milestones: In 2021, Cooper worked across party lines to pass a landmark energy bill mandating sharp reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. He also oversaw corporate expansions in clean energy, boosting job creation and investment. Companies like Apple, Toyota, and Boom Supersonic established a presence in North Carolina, with Cooper crediting bipartisan economic incentives for their decisions.

Economic Growth: During his two terms, the state added hundreds of thousands of jobs, benefiting from Cooper’s emphasis on infrastructure and innovation. Republicans, however, argue that North Carolina’s economic success was driven by their fiscal policies rather than Cooper’s leadership.

Key Challenges

Education and Vouchers: Cooper clashed with the legislature over taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools, a program he staunchly opposed but could not block.

Abortion Restrictions: Despite fierce resistance, Cooper failed to prevent new abortion laws restricting access after 12 weeks of pregnancy, down from the previous 20-week limit. His veto was overridden, marking a significant policy defeat.

Culture Wars: Early in his tenure, Cooper navigated the fallout from the state’s infamous 2016 “bathroom bill,” which required transgender individuals to use restrooms aligned with their birth certificate gender. He brokered a partial repeal of the law, helping to restore the state’s reputation and attract businesses that had previously shunned it.

Crisis Management

Cooper’s tenure saw multiple crises, including Hurricanes Helene and Florence, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. His administration faced criticism for delays in rebuilding homes after the hurricanes and for extended business and school restrictions during the pandemic. However, Cooper defended his pandemic policies, emphasizing that North Carolina fared better than many states in managing the crisis.

Political Dynamics

Throughout his governorship, Cooper contended with veto-proof Republican majorities in the legislature for nearly half of his tenure. Despite issuing over 100 vetoes—the most in state history—many were overridden. His ability to secure bipartisan agreements on key issues like Medicaid and clean energy, however, underscored his pragmatic approach to governance.

Legacy and Future Prospects

As Cooper steps down, his national profile remains significant. He was briefly considered as a potential running mate for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential campaign but ultimately decided against it. With North Carolina Democrats urging him to stay politically active, speculation is mounting about a possible bid to unseat Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis in 2026.

Cooper, who has never lost a state election, remains cautious about future plans. “If you’re going to run for public office again, you must have your heart and soul in it,” he said. For now, he plans to take time to reflect before deciding his next move.

A Progressive Legacy

Political observers credit Cooper with preserving progressive ideals in a challenging environment. “He kept the progressive flame alive in North Carolina during a difficult time,” said Gary Pearce, a longtime Democratic strategist. Cooper’s tenure reflects the balancing act of governing a swing state where political divides run deep.

As he hands over the reins to his successor, fellow Democrat and outgoing Attorney General Josh Stein, Cooper expressed optimism about the state’s future. “We built a North Carolina that is healthier, better educated, with more money in people’s pockets,” Cooper said during his farewell address.

His supporters see him as a unifying figure whose leadership steadied the state through turbulent times. Critics, however, argue that his administration mismanaged resources and failed to enact meaningful reforms. Regardless, Cooper’s legacy as governor will likely influence North Carolina politics for years to come.