Roy Cooper

Roy Asberry Cooper III, born on June 13, 1957, is a prominent American attorney and politician who has held the position of the 75th governor of North Carolina since January 1, 2017. A dedicated member of the Democratic Party, Cooper previously served as the 49th attorney general of North Carolina from 2001 until 2017. His political career began in the North Carolina General Assembly, where he represented both the House of Representatives and the Senate from 1987 to 2001.

In a historic 2016 election, Cooper successfully unseated the sitting Republican governor, Pat McCrory, marking the first time in North Carolina's history that a challenger defeated an incumbent governor. Following McCrory's concession on December 5, 2016, Cooper took office amidst challenges from a Republican-dominated legislature that swiftly enacted measures aimed at diminishing the authority of the governor's office. Despite facing multiple overrides of his vetoes, Cooper has maintained a strong presence in state politics.

His commitment to public service was reaffirmed in the 2020 election when he was reelected, triumphing over Republican candidate and Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest. Throughout his tenure, Cooper has focused on various issues, including public health, education, and economic development, solidifying his role as a significant figure in North Carolina's political landscape.