LENOIR, N.C. – When former two-term Democratic Governor Roy Cooper entered the U.S. Senate race earlier this week, the GOP response was to call him “Radical Roy.”

Really? That’s not a strategy; that is a schoolyard taunt by men-children in Raleigh and Washington. And, it definitely does not align with the facts. Just two examples quickly deconstruct and dispel this simpleton approach to a candidate that is simply too smart and disciplined to fall for name-calling.

First, as The Hill declares in a headline in an article about Cooper’s candidacy today, “Cooper’s North Carolina Senate bid will put Medicaid front and center.”

Why do we know that Medicaid is a winning message in North Carolina? Because current U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, says so. Cooper is running for an open seat that wasn’t open until Tillis stood up against Trump for North Carolinians, saying that the Medicaid cuts would hurt too many Tar Heel residents, so he voted against Trump’s bill, putting him in Trump’s cross hairs.

Cooper’s Record: Protect Medicaid and Govern with Integrity

It should! For eight years, Cooper stood firm against the most conservative legislature North Carolina has had in decades. All the while, he managed to increase Medicaid benefits for the state’s most vulnerable citizens. If that is radical, then the GOP has a problem with their Christian Nationalist messaging. As I’ve already pointed out, the Bible teaches that “Pure and Faultless” religion requires that we care for the poor, the orphan, the widow, the sick, the homeless, the imprisoned.

While it’s not Cooper’s style to get caught up in a proof-texting battle with Bible-thumpers, his record, his demeanor, and the opportunities he will get across the state to engage with people one-on-one (assuming the Democrats don’t keep him handcuffed to a desk playing “Dialing for Dollars”) will quickly dispel the “Radical Roy” moniker. It simply isn’t who he is, no matter how many times you say it. He has governed with integrity.

Protecting Medicaid was Cooper’s biggest fight and greatest accomplishment, but by no means was it all that he did to preserve North Carolina’s record as a forward-looking state. It is arguable, that considering the obstruction he faced for eight years, that had he enjoyed the same level of legislative support that former Governor Jim Hunt did, that Cooper would have championed unprecedented policies to improve our schools and highways, conditions for workers, treatment of teachers, and more.

Cooper governed. Republicans obstructed, except to hand as much of the state’s treasury as possible to the wealthy.

Cooper will keep Medicaid front and center, reminding people that Trump broke his promise to protect it in his so-called Big Beautiful Bill. Why do we know that Medicaid is a winning message in North Carolina – and beyond ? Because current U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, says so. Cooper is running for an open seat that wasn’t open until Tillis stood up against Trump for North Carolinians, saying that the Medicaid cuts would hurt too many Tar Heel residents, so he voted against Trump’s bill, putting him in Trump’s cross hairs. Tillis determined he’d rather spend time with his family than spend the rest of his term having to get into the sewer with a primary opponent hand-picked by Trump.

Top Cop Cooper

Enter Top Cop Roy Cooper. That is the other reason that “Radical Roy” is going to be seen for the pile of cowpatties that it is. Because the GOP and MAGA tag pride in their support of the “Blue Lives Matter” movement, they’ re in a bit of a predicament. For 16 years – before becoming governor – Cooper served as North Carolina’s Attorney General. He was our Top Cop. And a popular one.

One would think Republicans would be his ally, but perhaps the Rule of Law is not as important to Republicans as they’d have you believe.

So why the lame attack line of ‘Radical Roy’? It’s because that’s all the Republicans have. They have no candidate. They have no ideas. Only meanness. And it is wearing thin. Cooper will deconstruct and dispel it.

North Carolina’s state motto is Esse Quam Videri, meaning “To be rather than to seem.” Roy Cooper is exactly what he claims to be. He is not a radical; he is quite representative of North Carolina – hard-working, friendly, caring and community-minded. He’s even-keeled and moderate. He’s a throwback to a time when civility guided our campaigns.

Cooper labored tirelessly to keep North Carolina true to its motto. He takes oaths seriously. That’s what scares Republicans. He will work to ensure that the original motto of the United States – E Pluribus Unum – “Out of many, one,” is once again our guiding light.

© Michael M. Barrick, 2025