Democratic Senate hopeful Roy Cooper urges party unity over socialist pledge
Former governor Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, said he will not sign the moderate Democrats' anti-socialist Promise to America, arguing the party must stay inclusive.
Roy Cooper, the former North Carolina governor and Democratic Senate nominee, told a recorded interview that he will not sign the Promise to America, a document drafted by moderate Democrats to distance the party from socialist ideas. He argued that the Democratic Party must remain a big-tent organization, especially as the Republican Party faces internal loyalty tests and a declining electorate. Cooper cited the rise of candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, whose platform includes abolishing the Senate and ending ICE, but he stressed he is not affiliated with the group and will continue to work across the aisle.
He highlighted his bipartisan record from his gubernatorial tenure and said his sole pledge is to the people of North Carolina. The remarks arrive ahead of the November 3 race, where Cooper will face Republican Michael Whatley, the former RNC chair. Republicans such as Sen. Ted Cruz have warned that moderate Democrats fear the party’s left flank, suggesting internal tensions could affect the election outcome.
Why it matters
Cooper's stance signals how Democrats may balance ideological diversity while courting moderate voters in a traditionally red state.
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