North Carolina Governor Cooper Reflects on Eight Years in Office
Governor Roy Cooper wraps up eight years leading North Carolina, citing Medicaid expansion and clean energy progress among his key accomplishments.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Governor Roy Cooper concluded his eight-year tenure as North Carolina’s chief executive this week, reflecting on major legislative victories and ongoing challenges as he prepares to leave office after serving two full terms.
Cooper, who served as governor from 2017 to 2025, highlighted several key accomplishments during his time in office, including expanding Medicaid coverage to over 600,000 North Carolinians and securing significant investments in clean energy infrastructure. The Democratic governor also pointed to his administration’s response to natural disasters and efforts to improve public education funding as defining moments of his tenure.
Medicaid Expansion and Healthcare Initiatives
One of Cooper’s most significant legislative victories came with the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which extended healthcare coverage to hundreds of thousands of previously uninsured residents. The expansion, which took effect in December 2023, represented years of negotiations with the Republican-controlled General Assembly.
“We knew that expanding Medicaid was the right thing to do for North Carolina families,” Cooper said during his final press conference as governor. “This policy change will continue to save lives and strengthen our healthcare system long after I leave office.”
Economic Development and Clean Energy
Cooper’s administration oversaw substantial economic development initiatives, including attracting major manufacturing investments to the state. His focus on renewable energy led to North Carolina becoming one of the top solar energy producers in the nation, with several major solar and wind projects approved during his tenure.
The outgoing governor also emphasized his efforts to raise teacher pay and increase education funding, though he acknowledged that more work remains to be done. North Carolina teacher salaries increased by an average of 15% during Cooper’s time in office, according to state education department data.
Challenges and Partisan Gridlock
Despite these achievements, Cooper frequently clashed with the Republican-dominated legislature on issues ranging from abortion rights to voting access. His administration issued numerous vetoes of Republican-backed legislation, many of which were subsequently overridden by the General Assembly’s supermajorities.
Cooper expressed frustration with what he described as increasing political polarization during his tenure. “North Carolina works best when we can find common ground and focus on solutions rather than partisan politics,” he said.
The governor’s handling of Hurricane Florence in 2018 and Hurricane Dorian in 2019 drew praise from both parties, as did his administration’s coordination of federal disaster relief efforts. Cooper activated the National Guard multiple times during severe weather events and worked with local officials to expedite recovery efforts.
As Cooper prepares to leave office, political analysts note that his successor will inherit both the benefits of his policy initiatives and the challenges of governing in an increasingly divided political environment. The incoming administration will need to address ongoing issues including rural economic development, infrastructure improvements, and education funding gaps that persist across the state.
