Roy Cooper has been governor of North Carolina since 2017 and is seeking reelection this year. Cooper was born and raised in North Carolina and received his both undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1987 Cooper started his first term in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he served for four years. He joined the North Carolina State Senate in 1991 and held his seat for ten years, including four years as the Democratic Senate Majority Leader. Before becoming governor, Cooper defended North Carolinians as the state’s attorney general for three terms.

Throughout his impressive career in public service, Governor Cooper has consistently fought for gun safety policies to protect the lives of North Carolinians. A gun owner himself, he understands that commonsense gun reform does not conflict with the Second Amendment. As governor, he signed an executive directive to strengthen North Carolina’s background check system and continues to work to strengthen North Carolina’s laws to prevent gun violence. Governor Cooper has urged legislators to pass lifesaving laws, including enacting extreme risk protection orders and closing the boyfriend loophole. The governor also supports restrictions on large-capacity magazines and requiring a permit for certain gun purchases. Roy Cooper has proven that he has the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and will continue to do so if reelected as governor.

We are proud to endorse Roy Cooper for governor of North Carolina.