History of Roy Cooper in Timeline

Roy Cooper is an American attorney and politician. He served as the 75th Governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. A Democrat, he was the 50th Attorney General of North Carolina from 2001 to 2017. Prior to that, he served in the North Carolina General Assembly, first in the House (1987-1991) and then in the Senate (1991-2001).

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

June 13, 1957: Roy Cooper's Birth

On June 13, 1957, Roy Asberry Cooper III was born. He later became the 75th governor of North Carolina, serving from 2017 to 2025, and previously held the position of the state's attorney general from 2001 to 2017.

Others born on this day/year

November 19, 1985: Filed for NC House of Representatives

On November 19, 1985, Roy Cooper filed to run for the North Carolina House of Representatives in the 72nd district. He challenged incumbent Allen Barbee in the Democratic primary.

January 1989: Appointed Chair of House Judiciary Committee

In January 1989, Roy Cooper was appointed as the chair of the House Judiciary Committee by Josephus Mavretic, after Cooper joined Republicans and other Democrats to unseat Speaker Liston B. Ramsey.

February 1991: Appointed to the State Senate

In February 1991, Roy Cooper was appointed to the North Carolina State Senate after Jim Ezzell died. Cooper represented the 10th district.

July 1997: Elected Majority Leader of the Senate

In July 1997, Roy Cooper was elected Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate following Richard Conder's resignation.

January 2000: Filed for Attorney General Campaign

In January 2000, Roy Cooper filed with the state Board of Elections to launch his campaign for North Carolina Attorney General.

January 6, 2001: Took Office as Attorney General

Roy Cooper officially took office as the North Carolina Attorney General on January 6, 2001. He defeated Republican lawyer Dan Boyce and Reform Party candidate Margaret Palms in the election.

June 2002: End of term on the NC Bar Association Board of Governors

Roy Cooper's term on the North Carolina Bar Association's Board of Governors ended in June 2002. He had been elected to the position during his last term in the Senate.

2004: Cooper Ran Unopposed in Democratic Primary

In 2004, Roy Cooper ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

2004: Re-elected as Attorney General

Roy Cooper was re-elected as the Attorney General of North Carolina in 2004, continuing his service in the role.

2008: Cooper Ran Unopposed in Democratic Primary

In 2008, Roy Cooper ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

2008: Re-elected as Attorney General

Roy Cooper was re-elected as Attorney General in 2008, winning more votes than any other candidate that year.

2012: Re-elected as Attorney General

In 2012, Roy Cooper ran unopposed and was re-elected for his fourth term as North Carolina's Attorney General, receiving 2,828,941 votes.

January 1, 2017: Sworn in as Governor

On January 1, 2017, Roy Cooper was sworn in as governor of North Carolina in a small ceremony. His planned public inauguration was canceled due to a snowstorm.

January 6, 2017: Requested Federal Approval for Medicaid Expansion

On January 6, 2017, after taking office, Governor Roy Cooper requested federal approval for Medicaid coverage expansion in North Carolina.

March 22, 2017: House Overrode Cooper's Veto

On March 22, 2017, The House overrode Cooper's veto of a bill that would make elections to the North Carolina Superior Court and to the District Court partisan.

April 21, 2017: Cooper Vetoed Two Bills

On April 21, 2017, Roy Cooper vetoed a bill to reduce the size of the North Carolina Court of Appeals by three judges, and another bill to create a new State Board of Elections split evenly between Republicans and Democrats.

May 9, 2017: Appointed to Opioid Addiction Commission

On May 9, 2017, President Donald Trump appointed Roy Cooper to a commission focused on reducing opioid addiction.

June 7, 2017: Called for Redistricting Session

On June 7, 2017, after the Supreme Court declared North Carolina's legislative maps unconstitutional, Governor Roy Cooper called for a special redistricting session, but it was canceled by the House and Senate.

July 2017: Cooper Vetoed Bill Authorizing Nonprofit "Game Nights"

In July 2017, Governor Cooper vetoed a bill that would authorize nonprofit organizations to operate "game nights", citing concerns about unintentionally creating a new opportunity for the video poker industry.

July 26, 2017: Signed School Bus Camera Bill

On July 26, 2017, Roy Cooper signed a bill to mount cameras on school buses to deter drivers from illegally passing stopped buses.

August 31, 2017: Declared State of Emergency Due to Gas Shortage

On August 31, 2017, Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency in response to plummeting gas supply, which was later rescinded on September 18.

December 2018: Cooper Vetoed Bill on Primary Elections

In December 2018, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill regarding new primary elections if a do-over election was called in the 9th district election. Cooper vetoed the bill due to a provision that made campaign finance investigations less public, but the General Assembly overrode his veto.

March 6, 2019: Cooper Proposed $25.2 Billion Budget

On March 6, 2019, Roy Cooper proposed a $25.2 billion budget for the year, including salary increases for public school teachers and state workers, Medicaid expansion, and a $3.9 billion bond for school construction and local infrastructure projects.

May 2019: Cooper Vetoed Bill on Resuscitating Newborns

In May 2019, Governor Cooper vetoed a bill that proposed punishments for physicians and nurses who do not resuscitate newborns that survive an abortion, stating that it was an unnecessary interference between doctors and patients.

December 5, 2019: Announced Candidacy for Reelection

On December 5, 2019, Roy Cooper officially announced his candidacy for reelection as governor of North Carolina.

February 11, 2020: Cooper Announced Novel Coronavirus Task Force

On February 11, 2020, Governor Cooper announced the creation of a Novel Coronavirus Task Force for North Carolina in response to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.

March 2021: Cooper Announced He Would Not Run for U.S. Senate

In March 2021, Roy Cooper announced that he would not run for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Republican Richard Burr in 2022, ending speculation about his potential candidacy.

March 27, 2023: Cooper Signed Landmark Legislation Expanding Medicaid

On March 27, 2023, Cooper signed into law landmark legislation expanding Medicaid after the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed the bill. It is estimated that over 600,000 low-income North Carolinians will become eligible for the state's Medicaid program.

2023: Cooper Discussed the Pronunciation of His Name

In 2023, Roy Cooper discussed the pronunciation of his last name, stating that it should be pronounced /ˈkʊpər/, with the letters "oo" resembling the "oo" sound in "foot", as opposed to the more frequently used /ˈkuːpər/.

July 2024: Cooper Withdrew Name From VP Consideration

In July 2024, after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election and Vice President Kamala Harris announced her presidential campaign, Roy Cooper was considered as a possible running mate for her. However, on July 29, he withdrew his name from consideration without giving a reason.