Roy Cooper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roy Cooper
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| 75th Governor of North Carolina | |
| In office January 1, 2017 – January 1, 2025 |
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| Lieutenant | Dan Forest Mark Robinson |
| Preceded by | Pat McCrory |
| Succeeded by | Josh Stein |
| 50th Attorney General of North Carolina | |
| In office January 6, 2001 – January 1, 2017 |
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| Governor |
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| Preceded by | Mike Easley |
| Succeeded by | Josh Stein |
| Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate | |
| In office July 17, 1997 – January 1, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Conder |
| Succeeded by | Tony Rand |
| Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 10th district |
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| In office February 21, 1991 – January 1, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Ezzell |
| Succeeded by | A. B. Swindell |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 72nd district |
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| In office February 9, 1987 – February 21, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Allen Barbee |
| Succeeded by | Edward McGee |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Roy Asberry Cooper III
June 13, 1957 Nashville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Kristin Bernhardt
(m. 1992) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA, JD) |
| Signature |  |
Roy Asberry Cooper III (born June 13, 1957) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the 75th governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming governor, he was the 50th Attorney General of North Carolina from 2001 to 2017. He also served in the North Carolina General Assembly, first in the House (1987–1991) and then in the Senate (1991–2001).
Cooper graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1979. He started his career as a lawyer. In 1986, he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives. In 1991, he became a member of the North Carolina Senate. He was elected North Carolina Attorney General in 2000 and was reelected three times. He served for almost 16 years, which is the longest time anyone has held that job in the state's history.
In 2016, Cooper won the election for governor against the Republican leader, Pat McCrory. This was a very close race. Cooper was the first person to defeat a sitting governor in North Carolina's history. He was reelected in 2020. Before he took office, the state legislature passed laws to reduce the governor's power. However, Cooper focused on increasing money for education and healthcare. He successfully worked to expand Medicaid coverage across the state.
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Early Life and School
Roy Asberry Cooper III was born on June 13, 1957, in Nashville, North Carolina. His mother was a teacher, and his father was a lawyer. Roy went to public school and worked on his parents' tobacco farm during the summer. He finished Northern Nash High School in 1975.
He received a special scholarship called the Morehead Scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While there, he was president of the university's Young Democrats group. He earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1982.
Starting His Career
While in law school, Governor Jim Hunt asked Cooper to join the State Goals and Policy Board. This group advised the state on its long-term plans. Cooper was the youngest person ever to serve on this board.
In 1982, Cooper joined a law firm in Nashville, North Carolina. His father was also a member of this firm. Three years later, he became a partner in the firm.
Serving in the State Legislature
In 1985, Cooper decided to run for the North Carolina House of Representatives. He won the election and continued to work as a lawyer while serving in the legislature.
He became chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in 1989. In 1991, Cooper was appointed to the North Carolina Senate after Senator Jim Ezzell passed away. In 1997, he was chosen as the Majority Leader of the Senate.
During his time in the legislature, Cooper helped pass important laws. These laws included punishing children who brought guns to school, making public records easier to access, and giving the governor more veto power over new laws.
North Carolina Attorney General
Elections for Attorney General
In January 2000, Cooper decided to run for North Carolina Attorney General. He won the election in November 2000. He started his new job on January 6, 2001. He was reelected in 2004, 2008, and 2012. In 2012, he ran without anyone opposing him.
Many people wanted Cooper to run for governor or for the U.S. Senate, but he chose not to at those times.
His Time as Attorney General
In 2001, Cooper started a program to help middle and high school students who were suspended from school. Governor Mike Easley signed this program into law.
In 2007, Cooper's office took over a difficult legal case involving the Duke lacrosse team. After finding out that important information had been hidden, Cooper dismissed the case. He said the players were "innocent" and victims of a "tragic rush to accuse." This decision was praised by many people.
After a school shooting in 2007, Cooper created a task force to study school safety. This group made suggestions to help prevent and respond to such events. Cooper also helped pass a law to record mental health commitments in a national gun permit database.
In 2010, Cooper ordered a review of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation's forensic lab. This happened after it was found that officials had hidden information in a case that led to a wrongful conviction. The review showed that hiding information had been a common practice for many years. This led to a large effort to review hundreds of old cases.
In 2011, Cooper argued his first case before the United States Supreme Court. The case was about Miranda rights for young people. The Court ruled against North Carolina.
In 2014, after a large coal ash spill in the Dan River, Cooper criticized the company responsible.
Governor of North Carolina
Governor Elections
2016 Election
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Cooper ran for governor in 2016 against the current governor, Pat McCrory. In March 2016, a law called "House Bill 2" was passed. Many companies stopped doing business in North Carolina because of this law. Cooper said the law was unconstitutional and refused to defend it.
Because of the economic problems caused by the law, Governor McCrory's approval rating dropped. Cooper won the election by a small number of votes. After a long legal process, McCrory accepted the results on December 5. Cooper won by just over 10,000 votes out of 4.7 million.
2020 Election
On December 5, 2019, Cooper announced he would run for reelection. He won the election on November 3, defeating Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest.
Starting as Governor
After Cooper won, the state legislature passed special laws to reduce the governor's power before he officially took office. This was a surprise to many. Cooper also tried to get "House Bill 2" repealed, but the effort failed.
Cooper became governor on January 1, 2017, in a small ceremony. His public inauguration was canceled because of a snowstorm.
His Time as Governor
After taking office, Cooper asked for federal approval to expand Medicaid coverage in North Carolina. He also focused on repealing "House Bill 2." After many talks with lawmakers, Cooper signed a new law that reversed the old one.
When the Supreme Court of the United States said North Carolina's voting maps were unconstitutional, Cooper asked for a special meeting to redraw them. He also signed the STOP Act, which changed rules for prescribing and giving out opioids.
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In July 2017, Cooper signed a law allowing alcohol sales earlier on Sundays. He also signed "Britny's Law," which makes certain killings first-degree murder if the person had a history of domestic violence or stalking the victim. Another bill he signed added lessons on what to do when pulled over by police to driver's education classes.
In August 2017, he declared a state of emergency because of low gas supply.
In 2019, other governors chose Cooper to be co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. This was the first time a North Carolina governor held this role since 1978. In the 2018 elections, the Republican Party lost some seats in the legislature. This meant they could no longer easily override Cooper's vetoes.
In February 2020, Cooper created a task force for the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, he declared a state of emergency and closed schools. He later required face masks in public places.
In March 2023, Cooper signed a very important law that expanded Medicaid. This means over 600,000 more low-income people in North Carolina can get health coverage.
In July 2024, Cooper was considered as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. However, he later decided not to be considered.
On December 31, 2024, the day before he left office, Cooper changed the sentences of 15 inmates on North Carolina's death row. Josh Stein took over as governor after Cooper.
Vetoes as Governor
During his first two years, Cooper faced a legislature that could usually override his vetoes. His first veto was on a bill that would make elections for judges partisan. The legislature overrode this veto.
He also vetoed a bill to reduce the number of judges on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Another veto was on a bill that would change the State Board of Elections to have an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. All these vetoes were overridden.
Cooper also vetoed the state budget in June 2017, saying it was "irresponsible." He believed it did not plan well for future needs like teacher salaries. The legislature overrode this veto the next day.
In total, Cooper vetoed 28 bills in his first two years, and 23 of them were overridden. After the 2018 elections, the Republicans lost their supermajority. This gave Cooper more power in working with the legislature.
About His Family
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Roy Cooper is married to Kristin Cooper, who worked as a lawyer helping foster children. They have three daughters, all of whom graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They live in the Executive Mansion. Cooper has taught Sunday school and is a big fan of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes hockey team.
How to Say His Last Name
In 2023, Roy Cooper explained that his last name, Cooper, should actually be said with the "oo" sound like in "foot." This is how people in Eastern North Carolina, where he grew up, say it. He said that most people say it with the "oo" sound like in "moon," and he is fine with either way.
Images for kids
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Results of the 2008 Attorney General election by county.
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Results of the 2012 Attorney General election by county.
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Results of the 2016 Gubernatorial election by county.
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Results of the 2020 Gubernatorial election by county.
See also
In Spanish: Roy Cooper para niños
