Cooper Relatively Unknown in Race for Governor
Oct 13th - 5:45 pm
RALEIGH—North Carolina is set to have many tough political battles next fall, including the governor’s race.
For nearly 15 years, Roy Cooper has served as the state’s attorney general. However, Cooper is still coming into the race as a relative unknown for many people in North Carolina. It was no surprise when Roy Cooper announced his intention to run for governor in 2016. It is a move he has been alluding to some time now.
“One thing that sort of ended up hurting Roy Cooper a little bit is that in 2012 he was completely unopposed, didn’t have to run a campaign. So what that means at this point is that he has not run statewide in seven years and voters are going to forget about you in seven years if you are not always in the headlines,” said Tom Jensen, with Public Policy Polling.
Left-leaning Public Policy Polling has been looking at the matchup of incumbent governor Pat McCrory against Cooper for months. It is always a close race, most recently showing McCrory with a slight edge over Cooper.
It also showed that when asked about Cooper’s favorability: 49 percent of those polled, had no opinion. Jensen said one reason behind this could be the number of new voters that have moved into the state.
“There is not going to be a lot of time for Roy to introducing himself in an abstract way,” said Mac McCorkle, with Duke University.
McCorkle said for Cooper to take on McCrory, he will have to spend little time re-introducing himself to the state, and instead immediately take on the incumbent.
“He is going to brand his identity in a comparative sense, that he is not the incumbent and he does not have the incumbents problems,” said McCorkle.
Cooper has already done quite well fundraising, as has McCroy with over a year until election day, observers say the campaigning for this race is expected to be intense to the very end.
Both McCrory and Cooper had more than $2 million cash on hand as of July, prior to either one of them officially announcing their run in 2016. Analysts say they also expect a lot of outside interest group money to be spent on this race in addition to what the candidates raise themselves.
– Loretta Boniti
Capital Tonight Oct. 12: Roy Cooper Announces Run for Governor
Oct 13th - 10:38 am
On Capital Tonight: Attorney General Roy Cooper announces his run for governor in 2016. Joe Stewart and Frank Hill analyze the 2106 gubernatorial race. Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal and Tom Bullock of WFAE-FM join Tim Boyum at the Reporter Roundtable. Watch the program here.
Capital Tonight Oct. 9: Bow Tie Caucus
Oct 12th - 12:44 pm
On Capital Tonight: The Bow Tie Caucus convenes! Rep. Charles Jeter and Sen. Joel Ford join Loretta Boniti to discuss the legislative long session and more. Watch the program here.
Capital Tonight Oct. 8: Rev. William Barber
Oct 9th - 11:31 am
On Capital Tonight: NC NAACP President Rev. William Barber joins us to preview the civil rights organization’s state convention this weekend. Lawmakers Buck Newton and Jeff Jackson break down the legislative long session. Watch the program here.
Capital Tonight Oct. 7: Chief Justice Mark Martin
Oct 8th - 10:18 am
On Capital Tonight: Chief Justice Mark Martin discusses his blue-ribbon commission to study modernizing the state judicial system. Our Advocates Becki Gray and Rob Schofield debate what the General Assembly got done in its long session. Watch the program here.
Capital Tonight Oct. 6: Former Gov. Jim Martin
Oct 7th - 2:14 pm
On Capital Tonight: A new biography explores the life and career of former Gov. Jim Martin and the rise of the Republican Party in state government. The governor and author John Hood talk about his legacy. Watch the program here.
Capital Tonight Oct. 2: Bow Tie Caucus
Oct 5th - 10:12 am
On Capital Tonight: The Bow Tie Caucus convenes to wrap up another week in politics. Frank Hill and Prof. Scott Huffmon join Loretta Boniti to grade the legislative long session. Watch the program here.
Capital Tonight Oct. 1: NCGOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse
Oct 2nd - 6:21 pm
On Capital Tonight: We talk with NCGOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse about his party’s plans for the 2016 election. We get a debrief on the legislative long session from Reps. Skip Stam and Graig Meyer. Watch the program here.
Capital Tonight Sept. 30: Lt. Gov. Dan Forest
Oct 2nd - 6:20 pm
On Capital Tonight: Lt. Gov. Dan Forest joins us to give his thoughts on the legislative long session and the Republican presidential primary race. Our Advocates Chad Adams and Malcolm Graham look at the changing dynamics of campaign fundraising. Watch the program here.
Capital Tonight Sept. 29: Charter School Funding
Sep 30th - 10:12 am
On Capital Tonight, the end is in site for the North Carolina General Assembly, presidential candidates stop in the state and how Planned Parenthood is taking the heat. Two education experts also debate on funding for charter schools. Watch the program here.
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