Roy Asberry Cooper III (born June 13, 1957) is an American politician and lawyer best known for serving as the 75th governor of North Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, Cooper held statewide office as North Carolina's attorney general for multiple terms before winning the governor's office. His governorship has been marked by efforts on health care, education and environmental protection, and by recurring conflicts with a Republican-controlled legislature.
Career and public offices
Cooper's political career includes service in the North Carolina legislature and more than a decade as the state's attorney general. He won the governorship in the 2016 election, challenging incumbent Pat McCrory; the contest was closely watched and resolved when McCrory conceded on December 5, 2016. The result made Cooper the first challenger to unseat a sitting North Carolina governor since the mid-19th century. Cooper took office on January 1, 2017 and was re-elected in 2020.
Policy priorities and initiatives
As governor, Cooper has emphasized expanding access to health care, strengthening public education, protecting natural resources and restoring or preserving voting access. His administration has supported Medicaid expansion discussions, opposed legislation seen as discriminatory by critics, and promoted state investments in schools and infrastructure. Cooper frames many initiatives around bolstering services for working families and improving long-term economic prospects for the state.
Institutional conflicts and notable events
Cooper's tenure has featured significant tension with the Republican-led General Assembly. In the weeks before his 2017 inauguration, the legislature convened a special session and enacted measures that transferred or limited some executive powers and appointment authorities—moves designed to reduce the incoming governor's influence. Throughout his time in office the legislature has at times overridden his vetoes, and legal and political disputes over the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches have been an ongoing theme.
Background and personal life
By training Cooper is an attorney and he spent much of his career in public service and private legal practice before holding statewide elected office. He was born and raised in North Carolina and is known for a pragmatic, moderate Democratic approach to governance. Cooper is married and has family ties in the state; his personal background and long record in North Carolina politics contribute to his public recognition.
Significance and legacy
- Cooper's 2016 victory was historically notable because it unseated a sitting governor, an uncommon occurrence in the state's history.
- His administration has focused on health care access, education funding and environmental issues while navigating deep partisan divisions that have shaped what the governor could accomplish through legislation and appointments.
- Cooper's repeated clashes with the legislature illustrate contemporary debates about separation of powers and the extent of gubernatorial authority at the state level.
For more detailed coverage of his 2016 campaign and the 2016 vote tabulation, see the 2016 gubernatorial contest referenced here. For information about his 2016 opponent, see the profile of Pat McCrory.