BRUNSWICK COUNTY — In his 2026 bid for U.S. Senate, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper stood before a capacity crowd at the Brunswick County Democratic headquarters on Wednesday. He focused on rising healthcare costs, federal education funding, and infrastructure strain facing one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions.
READ MORE: Roy Cooper enters Senate race
Cooper addressed 162 supporters while outlining his platform for North Carolina in a broader push to solidify support ahead of the March 3 primary. While Cooper is widely considered the Democratic front-runner, he faces challenges from Robert Colon, Justin E. Dues, Daryl Farrow, Orrick Quick, and Marcus W. Williams.
Whomever wins will face off against a Republican challenger, also packed with nominees for the Primary Election: Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who Trump is endorsing, Don Brown, Richard Dansie, Thomas Johnson, Michele Morrow, and Elizabeth Anne Temple.
A January TIPP Insights poll from the League of American Workers of 1,512 registered North Carolina voters showed Cooper has 48% support compared to Whatley’s 24%, with 27% still undecided. Earlier polling from August 2025 from Emerson College of 1,000 registered voters had Cooper with 47%, Whatley with 41%, and 12% undecided.
Speaking with Brunswick County Democrats, the former governor took aim at Whatley over healthcare policy. Cooper specifically labeled his presumptive opponent as an “insider” backing policies he says would roll back key health care protections in North Carolina, including provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
“We are the richest country in the world. We ought to find a way to make sure that everybody has affordable, quality health care,” Cooper told the crowd, adding he intends to make healthcare access a “guiding star” if elected to the Senate.
As governor, Cooper successfully implemented Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, helping more than 700,000 people secure low- to no-cost health insurance.
In a Nov. 12 radio interview, Whatley criticized the Affordable Care Act, stating healthcare prices have “gone through the roof” since its passage and called for “market-driven solutions” to reduce the federal government’s role in healthcare.
Beyond healthcare and schools, Cooper warned current shifts in Washington are aimed at “dismantling the Department of Education” and reducing the federal funding essential for public schools. Last February, the U.S. Department of Education canceled approximately $90 million in teacher training grants across North Carolina after the Trump administration flagged the initiatives for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. In North Carolina, federal sources provide funding for programs like Title I for low-income students and IDEA for special education services.
He also mentioned the day-to-day financial squeeze on the middle class. He cited the rising prices of rent, utility bills, child care, and groceries currently weighing on North Carolinians, his remarks focused on general priorities rather than specific measures.
“Stuff just costs too much for people right now,” Cooper said. “We’ve got to give them some relief, we’ve got to do better. That’s why I’m running.”
Tackling the region’s rapid growth, Cooper pledged to prioritize federal investment for bridges, utilities, and clean water projects, specifically to secure funding to combat chemical contaminants like PFAS.
Cooper told Port City Daily his home state will be at the “forefront of everything I do in the United States Senate”: “I’ll look to make sure we get the proper federal funding and make sure that we — at the same time — work to keep our water clean and make this a great place for tourists and the people who live here year round.”
The EPA has rolled back some drinking-water standards for PFAS, intending to provide flexibility and reconsider how limits are set. Critics say the move could weaken safeguards against contamination and complicate efforts to clean up water supplies.
If he clears the primary, Cooper would head into the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.
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