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Roy Cooper: I’m going to show you something. No AI, no special effects, just Michael Whatley in his own words.

Michael Whatley: Grocery prices are down, gasoline prices are down, housing prices are down, inflation is down.

Roy Cooper: Unbelievable. And so is this.

Michael Whatley: There is no inflation.

Roy Cooper: Seriously? I’m Roy Cooper and I approve this message because I know costs are way up and it’s the senator’s job to do something about it. That’s why I have a plan to make stuff cost less and you can read about it right here.

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Before midnight tonight, I’m asking you to donate to my Senate campaign in North Carolina. If that’s all you need to hear, you can chip in here:

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Otherwise, let me explain why your support is so important.

By giving $7 (or whatever amount you can), you’ll join the hundreds of thousands of people who have pitched in to claim a stake in our grassroots movement.

By giving $7, you’ll be saying that you refuse to let the GOP buy this seat for President Trump’s handpicked candidate, former Big Oil and utility company lobbyist Michael Whatley – and that you’re ready to fight back against the nearly $100 million in attack ad spending that Republicans have poured into this race so far.

By giving $7, you’ll help us reach today’s fundraising goal.

This goal isn’t arbitrary.

It’s what my team has calculated that we need to keep pace with the GOP – and if we come up short, we will put our chances of flipping this seat at risk.

I know that not everyone can chip in to every message I send. I’m hoping I can count on you to donate to this one.

Will you chip in $7 or whatever you can today to help us meet our critical $2 million goal, win in North Carolina and take back the Senate?

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Thank you,

Roy Cooper

$10 because experts at The New York Times say that North Carolina is the best chance for Democrats to flip a Republican-held seat in the country.

$10 because Republicans like President Trump and Stephen Miller are attacking me on Truth Social and Fox News, and I need a massive grassroots team to help me fight back.

$10 because a recent poll shows me statistically tied with my MAGA opponent.

I’m changing up my fundraising request today in the hopes that as many people as possible donate before midnight and help us reach our $2 million end–of-month goal. With your support, we can build the momentum we need right now to stay the course and win. Can I count on your $10 donation?

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Republicans are ramping up their attacks against me – personal insults, character smears, baseless TV ads, you name it – and dark-money super PACs are pouring nearly $100 million into this race so far to defeat me.

They’re spending so much in North Carolina because they know this race could decide U.S. Senate control. However, that’s not the only reason why.

They know that if I’m elected to the U.S. Senate, I won’t blindly do President Trump’s bidding.

Instead, I’ll hold this administration accountable when it hurts people, put working families first and do everything I possibly can to make life better for folks in North Carolina and across the country.

I’m a threat to the GOP’s hold on power, but the only way I can fight back against their attacks is by reaching every fundraising goal from here on out. This race will come down to resources, and donations even just a couple bucks matter more than you know.

Before tomorrow’s end-of-month deadline, I need you with me. Will you chip in what you can to help us meet our $2 million goal, flip North Carolina blue and take back the Senate for Democrats?

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I can’t hit this goal without you. Thanks for pitching in.

Roy Cooper

North Carolina is special, and I’ve been grateful to serve this state in different capacities from state legislator to Attorney General and Governor. As Governor, you gave me the opportunity to wake up every morning for eight years and lead the state that I love with all my heart.

It wasn’t easy. But we worked hard through good days and tough ones, fighting for working folks and communities across North Carolina. Even with our serious mission we made sure to have some fun along the way.

Here are some of my favorite memories from the campaign trail and my time in office over the years.

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One snowy afternoon, my kids discovered my yard signs for the North Carolina State Senate made pretty good sleds!

This was the moment I was sworn in by taking the oath of office as Attorney General. I still think about what it meant to be trusted with that responsibility as the chief law enforcement officer of the state.

Bringing my children to my inaugural event as Attorney General.

Ben wanted to join in on the fun while filming a campaign ad with my daughters.

During my time as Governor, we made a lot of amazing progress, including our bipartisan expansion of Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of working North Carolinians.

Delivering my farewell address as Governor and reflecting on eight amazing years that the people of our great state allowed me to serve.

Taking a quick break with Violet!

Some of my favorite conversations with North Carolinians happened right here, at the State Fair, in between carnival games, livestock shows and bites of caramel apples with nuts (my favorite).

Launching my Make Stuff Cost Less tour and hearing what folks care about all across the state.

Getting to hear about what matters to North Carolinians.

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Looking back on these moments, I’m reminded of why I ran for office in the first place. The people I met along the way and the communities I fight for remind me how important trusted leadership is. I take that trust seriously and I know what’s at stake, I’m committed to making life easier for working folks.

I am grateful for my time in public service, and every memory before and since leaving office. But Washington DC is broken, and I’m ready to bring a little North Carolina common sense up there.

With early voting starting in just 47 days, I hope you’ll help me show up for North Carolina one more time.

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We’ve spent the summer criss-crossing North Carolina on the Make Stuff Cost Less campaign tour – from Graham to Wilson to Asheville and more stops along the way.

We’re pounding the pavement and putting on the mileage because winning this battleground Senate race means reaching every voter we can across the state.

Now that we’re less than 70 days out from the election, we can’t pump the brakes anytime soon – but all this traveling comes with a hefty price tag. We need to raise $2 million before our end-of-month deadline on Monday night to fuel next month’s leg of the tour, so I have to ask: Can you please chip in $5 today to help us keep campaigning across the Tar Heel state?

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While talking with North Carolinians face-to-face, I keep hearing versions of the same thing at every stop:

🚨Basic necessities like groceries and gas are unaffordable for many.

🏠Buying a house seems impossible, especially for younger people.

🇺🇲There are those who believe the American Dream feels unattainable.

In short: Stuff costs too much, and politicians in Washington DC don’t seem to care.

When I hear that, I know it’s time to get to work – because we can do so much better. This campaign is about making sure voters know exactly what I plan to do as their next U.S. Senator.

I’m in this fight to put people before power, party and politics – just as I did over my eight years as Governor, by expanding Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of working North Carolinians, adding good-paying jobs, increasing teacher pay, expanding paid parental leave and more.

Now, I’m ready to keep up the fight in the U.S. Senate – but getting there won’t be easy. The GOP is flooding the airwaves with false attacks, so we need to keep showing up across North Carolina and winning folks onto our side. That said, staying on the road like this takes money (gas, materials, organizers), and our budgeting deadline is just hours away.

Every dollar we get toward our Make Stuff Cost Less tour goal will keep us on the road and meeting the voters who will decide this race – so, if you’re able, will you chip in $5 now, or anything you can to help us get there before our end-of-month deadline on Monday?

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Thanks for all you do,

Roy Cooper

I know for many people that might not sound like a lot of money. But campaigns like ours run on donations about this size, and monthly grassroots support makes a bigger difference than you’d think. Let me explain why. A lot of smaller donations can add up to a lot. And when folks commit to giving weekly, it means we can make better plans for the final stretch in October than we would otherwise, because we know we can count on your donation.

I first ran for the state legislature to represent Nash County, where I was born and raised. I worked hard serving my community, and voters have continued to put their trust in me since then. I don’t take that for granted. I’ve fought to earn that trust, and I work just as hard to keep it.

Communities deserve leaders who are accountable to them, and will show up and fight for them every day. That’s why I’m running for U.S. Senate: to make a real difference for North Carolina’s working families. With less than 68 days to go, this race is not going to be easy, especially since the Republicans have made me their top target.

They’ve already poured nearly $100 MILLION so far into attacking me. We don’t have that kind of money, and they know it. But we also can’t let the GOP and their dark money allies buy this seat for Washington DC insider Michael Whatley.

So here’s one of the most powerful things you can do for this campaign: set up a small, monthly donation.

Right now, your $5 a week helps us keep our ads on the air, on streaming and on social media to reach as many voters as possible.

In September, your $5 a week helps us talk with voters all across the state about what’s really on the line this election.

And in October, your $5 a week helps make sure that every eligible voter in North Carolina votes before the polls close on Election Day.

So I’m asking you directly: Will you start a weekly donation of $5, or whatever you can today, so we can respond to the GOP’s attacks, flip North Carolina and take back the Senate for the people?

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Grassroots donors are the bedrock of our campaign, so even if you only have a few bucks to spare, every dollar makes an impact. Thanks a bunch!

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I sat down with Jen Psaki to discuss how Canada’s retaliatory tariffs will impact North Carolina and how North Carolina Republicans are trying to make it harder for people to vote. You can watch the full interview here:

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Jen Psaki: It’s great to see you, Governor. I just want to start with this renewed trade war with Canada and how it’s going to impact North Carolina… The retaliatory tariffs were announced today. What’s your response to Trump restarting this tariff war with our neighbor to the north and the impact it could have on a state like North Carolina?

Gov. Cooper: Why are we fighting with Canada? Canada is North Carolina’s number one foreign export country. And what we’re seeing is small businesses and farmers getting killed. Pender in Wilson County, already hurt by the cost of fertilizer and equipment and having a difficult time making a profit. I was with Anne today [who runs a small business]. The tariffs are cutting into her profits, which she has very little now, and the rest of them are being passed on to consumers. We’re hearing it from people. Stuff just costs too much.

My opponent, though, Michael Whatley, is going to do and say whatever this president tells him to do and say, regardless of whether it’s good for the people of North Carolina or the people of this country. And he says that “prices are going down.” He says that “we’ve defeated inflation.” He says that “the tariffs are an important economic tool.” We know that that’s not true. And I think the people of North Carolina are going to see that they’re not benefiting from this and, in fact, are hurting. But what he’s going for here is the money to fuel his campaign.

He knows North Carolina is close and can go either way. The Supreme Court, a month or so ago, gave them a new tool that is the worst decision since Citizens United that allows these join committed to funnel this money through and have unlimited spending, and now they’re scheming to get a discount rate on television advertising for all of it, and so his plan is to just overwhelm us. That’s why we need grassroots donations, why we need help here in North Carolina to make sure we win this race and take back the Senate majority. People can go to roycooper.com, see our plan to lower prices and to help us out.

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Jen Psaki: I know that in North Carolina, early vote ballots go out pretty soon in the next two weeks I believe. It’s the earliest state in the country where those go out. A lot of people saw this news about the Supreme Court decision yesterday, and it made them really nervous about their ability to participate in the process. What are you telling people about that in North Carolina? What should people out there understand about their ability to early vote?

Gov. Cooper: People should know that elections are going to be safe and secure, and they should be ready to vote. But we know that this potential Supreme Court decision, if they come back and decided on the merits to allow any part of this executive order to go forward, it could potentially throw the election into chaos, particularly when it comes to absentee ballots in North Carolina. We’re already seeing our Republican-controlled Board of Elections take steps to make it harder for people to vote.

They have curbed Sunday voting. They have taken ballot boxes from college campuses, and clearly, they’re targeting people that they don’t believe are going to vote for them. So if they get any inkling that this Supreme Court is going to allow any part of this executive order on these absentee ballots, then we could potentially have a problem. But we need people to come out and vote. We’re going to fight them every step of the way.

And I think you’re seeing a lot of people in North Carolina, particularly on college campuses, are having an ‘I’ll show you’ attitude. You’re not going to take our vote away. We’ll show you. I went to North Carolina A&T State University, the largest HBCU in North Carolina. They removed that ballot box from their campus. But the students are marching to the nearest polling place and they’re spreading the word that it’s really important for them to get out and vote in this election because our country needs a course correction, and that’s what they can do in these midterms by putting the checks and balances back into the Constitution that the framers intended.

Jen Psaki: Former Governor Roy Cooper, thank you so much for joining me. I appreciate it.

We are less than 70 days away from this election. And as I told Jen, North Carolinians are ready for change. Whether you can chip in a few dollars or volunteer to knock on doors or call voters, every effort counts.

Thank you.

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1. JD Vance came to North Carolina to spread lies about me, President Trump has taken to Truth Social multiple times to personally attack me and Stephen Miller went on Fox News to rant and rave about me.

2. By the latest tally, Republicans are pouring close to $100 million into this race so far – and the Senate’s top GOP super PAC just went live with false attack ads against me.

3. The GOP’s attacks are working: A recent poll shows this race statistically tied.

The GOP is outspending us, and I need your help to fight back immediately so we can stay on track to flip this must-win seat.

So I’m personally asking: Will you donate to my U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina so we can flip this seat and the Senate majority?

No matter how much you give, it all adds up fast when everyone pitches in.

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Thank you,

Roy Cooper

My mom, Beverly, spent decades teaching in Nash County public schools, where I grew up and I went to school as well. Every fall, our house had that electric energy as we got ready for the start of the year. When my mom taught, she was up before sunrise getting her classroom ready for a new group of kids.

Watching her work — nights, weekends and summers included — showed me firsthand the lengths our public school teachers go to give children the best possible start. When I asked her why she worked so hard on lesson plans every year for so many years she said, “Every student and every year is different so I have to update, plan and make sure it works.”

As the son of an amazing public school teacher and a graduate of public schools, I grew up with a deep appreciation for educators and a firsthand understanding of what a quality public education can do for a child. That stayed with me through every step of my career.

Advocating for our public schools, teachers and students has been a personal priority for me throughout my entire time in office. It will be in the United States Senate as well. You can read more about my plan to support public education here.

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Every August, as the end of summer drew near and the start of school neared, my mom would always tell me to be kind, work hard and have fun.

It’s simple advice, but it stuck with me. And years later, when I had daughters of my own getting ready for that first day back, I passed it on to them too.

So as the back-to-school season begins and you find yourself returning to the classroom after a long summer, I wanted to share some advice that has been passed down to me.

1. It’s okay to be nervous — it just means you’re about to do something new. Nervous energy can be positive.

2. Audition for the school play! Try out for your favorite sports team! Join a club. You may meet lifelong friends and you’ll learn things you didn’t know.

3. A good breakfast can get you through a hard day.

4. Be kind to others and recognize that all kids are different. Try to be the friend you’d want to sit next to at lunch.

5. For parents, if you can afford it, help a school supply drive for children whose families can’t afford it. And offer to buy some supplies for your children’s classroom. Unfortunately teachers often have to spend money out of their own pockets to get them.

If there is any advice you would like to give to students returning to school, let me know in the comments below!

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And if you have more questions for me, make sure to leave a comment!

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I’ve never lost an election.

With people like you by my side, I’ve been able to win some of the toughest fights in North Carolina and deliver real progress for working families.

This Senate race is different, and I’m concerned.

The GOP is coming after me with everything they’ve got. President Trump is harassing me online, JD Vance is spreading lies about me at rallies and far-right groups are already spending $100 million so far on baseless attack ads smearing my name.

This is all because a brand-new poll shows this race is statistically tied – and because they know that if we lose here, Democrats will have no chance at taking back the Senate.

I know we can defy the odds and win. I’ve won six statewide races in North Carolina. I can’t do it without your critical grassroots support. Will you chip in $5 today to help us fight back against GOP attacks and flip NC blue?

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Thank you,

Roy Cooper

When President Trump followed up a few weeks later with a late-night Truth Social post attacking me again, I knew they were nervous.

Now, after President Trump’s attack dog Stephen Miller went on Fox News to rant and rave about me, I can tell we’re getting to them.

There are a lot of important Senate races happening this year, but President Trump knows that if they just win in NC, it’ll stop our chances of taking back the Senate. It won’t matter what happens in other swing states. If our MAGA opponent – former Big Oil and utility lobbyist Michael Whatley – wins here, that’s the ballgame. Republicans will likely keep Senate control until 2029.

That’s why we’re facing these nonstop attacks, and why I’m writing to you today. If we can’t hit our fundraising goals, it’ll make it much harder to run the ads we need to win – and this is a race we just can’t afford to lose.

So please, will you chip in whatever you can to help us fight back against the GOP and win in NC?

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Thank you so much for your support.

Roy Cooper

Affording a decent place to live has become a challenge, and I’m hearing about it most everywhere I go. I’ve talked with young people who are transitioning from home or college to the workforce and looking for their first apartment, only to find rent prices that are out of control and still climbing.

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I spoke to Jarrod in Greensboro, where he recently graduated from NC A&T and is excited about his new job. But like a lot of people his age, the high cost of housing is weighing on his mind. He told me that finding something affordable close to work, particularly with the high gas prices, has felt extremely difficult.

Jarrod has spent most of his childhood here in North Carolina, and plans on staying in the state and moving to Charlotte for work. But he told me that he’s not sure he’ll ever be able to afford a home the way his parents could.

And it’s not just young people feeling this burden. I’ve heard from folks who’ve spent years working hard, providing for their families and saving every chance they get. But home ownership is still simply out of reach for them no matter how hard they try.

That’s why as Attorney General I negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars in mortgage relief for North Carolinians and cracked down on corporations that inflated home values and trapped North Carolinians in mortgages they could not afford. I took on predatory lenders and stood up for thousands of homeowners facing illegal foreclosure.

As Governor, I prioritized expanding affordable housing and proposed budgets that helped first-time home buyers with down payments. I vetoed bills that made it harder for low-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities to find affordable rental housing. And I awarded more than $355 million in community grants to our local governments to help rural communities and revitalize neighborhoods across the state.

But this work is far from over, and we have a long way to go before buying a house feels in reach for millions of working families. As a U.S. Senator, I’ll keep working to make housing cost less.

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All across the state, people keep asking me the same question: why is this so much harder than it used to be and how do we fix it?

Here’s my plan:

Support Building More Homes

That means we have to build faster and smarter to keep up with rising demand, including more incentives to build multi-family and modular homes. If we can have more homes on the market it will help lower housing costs for folks across the state.

Eliminate Unnecessary Rules That Drive Up Housing Costs

Another part of the problem comes back to the unnecessary rules and regulations standing in the way between families and the homes they need. If we can cut back on the redundant steps in the review process and modernize outdated permitting systems, we can drive down costs for everyone.

End Tariffs Driving Up Prices for Building Materials

We’re also seeing how the chaotic, erratic tariffs coming out of Washington DC are exacerbating our housing crisis. Trump’s tariffs have driven up the price of lumber, steel and aluminum, adding thousands of dollars to the cost of construction for a home. We need people in Washington willing to fight to roll back these reckless tariffs and ease some of the burden on home construction that’s hurting North Carolina working families.

Stop Big Corporations, Investment Funds and Foreign Companies from Buying Single-Family Homes.

We need to restrict big corporate buyers from owning large portfolios of single-family homes that drive up prices for families trying to buy a home.

Ban Algorithm-Driven Rent Setting.

This housing crisis isn’t just about buying — we have to make it easier to rent, too.

Right now, too many corporate landlords are sharing your data with each other to coordinate rent hikes, squeezing renters who already have few options. That’s just wrong. We need to crack down on these bad actors who are willing to profit off working people trying to keep a roof over their heads.

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But at the end of the day, this fight isn’t just about policy — it’s about protecting what makes North Carolina so special. One of the things I love most about this state is how proud people are to live and work here. No matter where you go, people love their communities and the places they call home. Their hard work has instilled that pride and they deserve a place to live that’s safe for their families and doesn’t break their budget.

When I get to Washington, I’m going to fight to roll back Trump’s reckless tariffs and help put an end to the housing crisis that is hurting families across the state and our country.

I’m ready to be an independent voice for North Carolina, focused on the stuff that really matters to people. That starts with making sure people can afford a roof over their heads.

Thank you for reading.

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We are facing a crucial election this November and I’m going to need your help to ensure we can leave a better country to our children, grandchildren and future generations.

You can listen to our full conversation below.

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Ben Meiselas: Now I want to bring in former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Governor Cooper, great to see you. Governor Cooper running for the open Senate seat in North Carolina. I want to talk about a few things, but want to start by talking about some of the latest polling we’re seeing in the state on Donald Trump. Not just the very low approval numbers, but when you look, he’s just getting crushed among independents, and he’s been losing a massive part of his base as well.

You’ve been traveling the state, Governor, as part of this Senate race — you know the state better than just about anybody there, given your background. Are you seeing something that’s actually different this time, or are you noticing things now even more so than when you and I spoke a few months ago?

Gov. Cooper: Well, when the President and his administration promised that the cost of living would be their day one focus, people are saying, “Hey, they haven’t done anything and in fact, they’ve made it worse.” I think that’s a reflection of why the numbers are so bad is that people are feeling it themselves.

Their families are having to pay more utility costs and housing costs and rising grocery prices. And this war in Iran — we weren’t going to get into any foreign wars, and this war has no strategy. Alex, who is a military spouse, I talked with her. On the base, they’re all concerned about spouses who’ve been deployed overseas. I’m deeply grateful to the men and women in uniform who step up to defend this country. But also the cost of this war — not only in lives, but in the cost of gas, groceries and utilities that people are facing just simply because this war has dragged on so much longer than was promised.

That frustration is building up. They recognize that Washington is broken. There’s hardly a political event I’ve been to this entire campaign where someone hasn’t come up to me and said, “This is the first political event I’ve ever been to in my life.” These are Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated people who come to my events understanding that we’ve got a lot to do to make a better country for our children and grandchildren.

And they’re there because they want to make a difference. They’re there because they believe that we should have the checks and balances that the framers of the Constitution intended. And they want a focus on the cost of living and the fact that paychecks aren’t keeping up with inflation. They want leaders who will get us out of this foreign war. And they want people in power who will pay attention to them and not to the billionaires and corporations that we’re seeing time and time and time again from this administration. And I think all the corruption that is occurring throughout Washington DC — they were going to drain the swamp, it’s deeper than ever — and people are frustrated with that as well.

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Ben Meiselas: You mentioned when it comes to Trump’s unlawful and catastrophic war in Iran, this never-ending war with no strategy. I think you can kind of define this entire Trump administration — I call it the Trump regime — as no strategy with anything except how Donald Trump, and perhaps Kushner and Witkoff, and a small cadre of people, enrich themselves.

But there’s no strategy of “okay, if we do tariffs on the world, are they going to respond with retaliation?”

And then when you see retaliation, then the United States is like, “Oh we are mad, how dare you retaliate?”

“Do you think everyone is just going to be okay?”

And then, similarly, with what we see with the catastrophic war in Iran — it’s the “fake deal” where Trump, whether it’s delusional, whether it’s just that he lies about everything. Probably both. You know, he just lies. Okay, we did a deal. And then people are like, “No, we didn’t. We didn’t do it. Stop freaking lying and saying the same thing. 90 deals in 90 days. Tariffs are making us rich.”

And I think the people showing up to our events, even though they’re going to technically a political rally, I think what they like about you is that this is just life. This is life stuff. They see a guy in Trump in the Oval Office taking their money and lying, and they don’t like it. And they want people who will fight against it.

Gov. Cooper: I think that’s right. One thing they know is that my opponent, Michael Whatley, will do and say whatever this President tells him to do and say, regardless of whether it’s good for the people of North Carolina. The president still has a lot of supporters in our state, but I think that, at the end of the day, are going to want an independent Senator who isn’t afraid to stand up to him. And this is one of the reasons why we are in the place we are is that the Republican leadership in the legislative body hasn’t stood up.

We know that a lot of money is going to come into this state to try to defeat because they want to hold this seat. This has been a Republican seat for a long time and we haven’t elected a Democrat since 2008. Yeah we’re a little ahead in the polls right now, but already almost $100 million in ads have already been bought and placed against me by these outside Republican groups. We expect a lot more. We expect a lot from Donald Trump’s PAC.

So we need people to help us. And people can go to roycooper.com and not only help us with financial contributions, but they can sign up to help us do so many things, to help get out the vote. Because I do believe turnout here is going to be a big issue, and if we turn out, we can put some checks and balances on this administration. Not only refocus on the cost of living, health care, and all the things affecting families, but we can take those first steps in making sure that we shore up our democracy, which is desperately needed right now.

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Ben Meiselas: You’re running against a MAGA extremist puppet of Donald Trump, Michael Whatley. He ran the RNC before. If you take the politics out of it, I saw a recent ad in this political period right now about Michael Whatley that I didn’t know. That he hired this guy named Harvey West, a convicted sexual predator. And I saw in the ad, you had a former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice in North Carolina, a former top sheriff in North Carolina, and others just saying, “Just look at that judgment.”

Talk to us, for people in North Carolina, they probably know the story a little better. But for people outside, what’s going on there? Who did he hire?

Gov. Cooper: Michael Whatley claims to be tough on crime, and he’s attacking me on that issue — when, in fact, I’m the only one in this race who has actually prosecuted violent criminals and worked to keep them behind bars. When Michael Whatley was chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, he appointed a guy named Harvey Lee West, who was convicted of molesting children, served six years in prison, and was on the sex offender registry. Yet, as chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, Michael Whatley appointed him to an important position because the guy could raise money.

He held fundraisers, and a lot of Republicans at the time didn’t like it and, in fact, challenged him on it, saying “hey we can’t have this in our party.” Finally, this past June, this issue finally came to light publicly. The Republican Party has always been wrestling with this thing since Michael Whatley did it, but it’s finally come to light and the Republican Party finally passed a resolution preventing someone like Harvey Lee West from being appointed to a position of power within the Republican Party.

So that’s the kind of thing we’re dealing with here — people who pretend to be tough on crime yet, when it comes to politics, they want to protect people who are child predators. This is the same guy who hasn’t demanded that Trump fully disclose the Epstein files. This is a guy who has other situations, where he’s been in the Word of Faith Fellowship, a church that has been accused of having people who have abused children. This is the kind of person who is saying one thing and doing another. And I think, at the end of the day, people aren’t going to want that.

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Ben Meiselas: Governor, before we go, what’s your final message to the people of North Carolina about why they should elect you? As you’ve been touring the state and you’ve been hearing what the people are experiencing, what’s your message to them? And we’ve got a broader base of course throughout the United States, and we have a big international audience as well that’s looking at our country and saying, “What’s going on guys? What’s happening over there?” What’s your final message to people watching this?

Gov. Cooper: There are too many people like Stephanie, who is a teacher in Wake County, who’s had to change the way she buys groceries because prices have gone through the roof, mainly affected by these tariffs. There are too many people like Meredith, whose kid is on Medicaid. She has cerebral palsy and she’s scared to death that these attacks on health care from Washington are going to take Vivian’s health care away.

There are too many farmers like Pender, who are having to deal not only with tariffs that are driving up the cost of his fertilizer and equipment, but this war in Iran that is driving up fuel prices and taking away his profits. People like Mike in Charlotte, who’s talking about how he or his spouse may have to quit because childcare is so high. And I have a plan for a childcare tax independent credit, while Donald Trump has said that we can’t afford to fund childcare.

Michael Whatley is going to do and say whatever this President tells him to do and say, regardless of whether it’s good for North Carolina. I’m going to be a strong, independent Senator fighting for the people this administration has left behind. I’m going to need your vote. Go to roycooper.com to help us. This race is going to get very close at the end. It always does in North Carolina and a few votes can matter. It matters because we need a course correction for this country, and we all need to look within ourselves as to what we can do to make sure we leave a better country to our children, grandchildren and future generations. This election matters a lot in whether we are going to do that or not.

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Ben Meiselas: I couldn’t agree more. We’ve got to restore sanity, accountability, democracy and a politics that focuses on the people, we the people…Governor, thank you. We appreciate you.

P.S. You can also watch the full conversation here.

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These conversations stick with me, and each story pushes me to continue fighting for a better North Carolina.

I’ve spent time in communities all across the state, and I’ll continue visiting with people on the campaign trail (early voting starts in just 58 days). But between stops — driving to events or a quick lunch break on a busy day — I think about stories that inspire me, many of which come from books I’ve enjoyed reading during my life.

A story of great achievement that changed the world. A personal account of bigotry and abuse overcome by the power of writing extraordinary poetry and literature. A coach whose lessons about basketball provided courageous lessons about living a meaningful life. A world renowned scientist who explains the harmony between science and faith in God. A young lawyer who takes on a health insurance company that denies medical care.

Today, I wanted to share with you the books that tell these stories. These are books I’ve enjoyed and found meaningful:

1. The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

3. A Coach’s Life: My 40 Years in College Basketball by Dean Smith

4. The Language of God by Dr. Francis Collins

5. The Rainmaker by John Grisham

Of course there are many more, but these came to mind today. If you’re enjoying a book or show this summer that might have affected or changed how you see things, I’d love to hear about it. Let me know in the comments. I might add it to my list!

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Hey folks – it’s Roy Cooper.

I’ve spent my life serving the people of North Carolina. As Governor, I expanded Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of hardworking people and fought for better health care. As Attorney General, I protected working families from fraud and abuse. As a State Legislator, I pushed for policies that made everyday people’s lives easier.

But before all of this, I was just a boy from Nash County – the son of a public school teacher who tried to do right by his family, friends and neighbors.

Now, I’m running for the U.S. Senate because I’ve seen what’s possible when government actually puts people first. When those in power lead with a sense of duty, purpose and moral clarity. That’s not happening in Washington DC right now. Will you chip in today to help me change that?

I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me in whatever ways they could. Some folks knock doors on the weekends, some make calls after a long day, some show up to an event or make a donation to help fuel this campaign. It all matters!

We’re building something special here in North Carolina, and we’re doing it with the grassroots support of people like you. So I wanted to give you an update on our folks on the ground, and all of their great work.

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Our team has knocked over 215,000 doors, called more than 440,000 voters and signed up over 16,000 volunteers. To all the people who have invested in this campaign and joined this fight: Thank You.

This work is far from over and I am so fortunate to have you all by my side. Over the next 59 days, we’re going to continue traveling across the state making sure folks are ready for the start of voting: talking with more voters, knocking on more doors, hosting more Make Stuff Cost Less events and more.

I know that this will be the toughest race I’ve faced. And I’m grateful to have you with me in this fight to fix what’s broken in Washington DC and return power to the hands of the people.

Our leaders should be focusing on strengthening our communities by investing in public schools, making health care more affordable and prioritizing hardworking families. That work starts with talking with voters all across the state, and I’m grateful for all of our volunteers helping us do just that.

If you’re able to help us knock doors, call voters or chip in what you can, thank you for your help. Every effort counts and I couldn’t do this without you.

P.S. Make sure you register to vote or check your voting status here!

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Hey folks – it’s Roy Cooper.

I’ve spent my life serving the people of North Carolina. As Governor, I expanded Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of hardworking people and fought for better health care. As Attorney General, I protected working families from fraud and abuse. As a State Legislator, I pushed for policies that made everyday people’s lives easier.

But before all of this, I was just a boy from Nash County – the son of a public school teacher who tried to do right by his family, friends and neighbors.

Now, I’m running for the U.S. Senate because I’ve seen what’s possible when government actually puts people first. When those in power lead with a sense of duty, purpose and moral clarity. That’s not happening in Washington DC right now. Will you chip in today to help me change that?

With just 80 days before Election Day, I’m personally asking you to donate to my campaign.

Back when I ran for Governor in 2016, all the numbers and expert ratings seemed to be in our favor – but I ended up winning by just 0.22% of the vote, and President Trump carried North Carolina in the presidential election.

Ten years later, I’m up against his handpicked candidate in the race experts say will decide Senate control, and the predictions appear to be on our side once again.

But now, a recent poll shows our lead narrowing to just four points — and as GOP dark money floods our race, we can expect that margin to grow even tighter. If I learned anything from 2016, it’s that we cannot take this race for granted.

Will you chip in $5 to make sure we have the resources to fight back, flip North Carolina blue and take back the Senate?

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Thank you,

Roy Cooper

Did you know that North Carolina is home to more than 1.1 million small businesses and 1.8 million small business employees? That means almost half of all North Carolina private-sector employees work for a small business. As the major driver of our economy, small business owners are crucial pillars to North Carolina’s success.

But right now, our small businesses are getting hit hard by failed leadership in Washington DC, and they are forced to bear the brunt of rising costs caused by chaotic tariffs, laws that raised health insurance premiums and the war in Iran. Our business owners are getting squeezed across the state — not because of bad luck or bad management — but because they’ve been left to absorb the costs of reckless federal policies that cater more to billionaires and big businesses than to them.

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That isn’t right. I believe our economy should create opportunities for everyone. Which is why as Governor, I led efforts and introduced grant funding that provided help for small businesses and entrepreneurs, allowing them to continue to grow and stimulate North Carolina’s economy.

And it worked. These businesses have helped make North Carolina the third fastest growing state in the country, and CNBC’s Top State for Business three out of four years. That’s what happens when you invest in the working folks that keep our communities thriving.

One of my favorite parts about being on the campaign trail has been getting to spend time in all types of communities — big and small — across the state. On the road, I’ve had the chance to sit down with consumers and entrepreneurs and hear directly about their businesses, their concerns and the local spots they love. Lately, I keep hearing the same thing: DC’s policies are hurting their livelihoods.

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Take Cheryse in Charlotte, a small business owner who told me that rising prices for nearly all of her supplies have made it difficult to pay her employees.

Or Seth in Johnston County who’s been battling increased fertilizer prices and now is having trouble filling up his truck and mower for his local landscaping business.

That’s just not right. But these aren’t isolated stories.

These frustrations and concerns resonate across the state. Throughout my Make Stuff Cost Less tour, I’ve met with business owners all across North Carolina who describe the same reality: tariffs and DC’s policies are hurting every aspect of day-to-day operations. Stuff just costs too much. And the important people running our local businesses, along with their customers, are paying the price.

Small business owners shouldn’t have to sacrifice the quality of their products and customers shouldn’t have to settle for a worse experience that costs more because of reckless decisions made by politicians in Washington DC.

Cheryse, Seth and the countless other small businesses in this state want a federal government that works for them. That’s why I’ll work alongside anyone I can to restore the constitutional authority over trade and tariffs that belongs to Congress, so trade policy can be negotiated, trusted and relied upon as intended while keeping costs as low as possible.

Can you chip in $5 and help me get to Washington DC so I can continue fighting for our small businesses? We can’t leave them behind.

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This race is the best chance in the country for Democrats to flip a Republican-held seat, and we have to win here to have any shot at taking back the Senate.

That’s why Republicans are doing everything in their power to defeat me: JD Vance came to North Carolina to spread lies about me, President Trump has publicly attacked me and dark-money super PACs are spending nearly $100 million so far to crush our momentum.

Unfortunately, their plan is working: Grassroots donations are slowing – right as a recent poll shows my slim lead cut by nearly half.

We cannot give Washington DC insider and Big Oil lobbyist Michael Whatley or the right-wing super PACs supporting him an inch.

Every new day brings a new GOP attack, and I cannot face this onslaught alone. I need people like you by my side. Will you chip in $5, or whatever amount you can, to help me reach our mid-month goal, flip North Carolina blue and take back the Senate for Democrats?

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Thank you,

Roy Cooper