“I think people are ready for a change in Washington. They know that Washington is absolutely broken,” Cooper said.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper made a stop in Charlotte on Friday, highlighting what he plans to do for small businesses if elected to the U.S. Senate in 2026.ย
Cooper is running for the seat that will be vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis’ retirement. Cooper, who served two terms as governor before leaving office in January, is expected to face off with Republican Michael Whatley, who has already picked up an endorsement from President Donald Trump.ย
“I think people are ready for a change in Washington. They know that Washington is absolutely broken,” Cooper said. “I want to go up there and bring my problem-solving skills. I want to try and walk across the aisle and work with anybody I can, who’s willing to step up and help improve the lives of people who are struggling right now.”ย
Cooper also spoke out against Trump’s tariffs, which he blamed for raising costs on consumers and business owners. His remarks were given at Archive CLT, a Black woman-owned coffee shop on Beatties Ford Road. He visited the shop with Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock.ย
“You start off with these chaotic, indiscriminate tariffs that are being placed all across the world by this administration,” Cooper said. “You know who’s paying it? This small business, small businesses across North Carolina and this country. And their employees, and the consumer. And one of the things I want to do is work with this great senator and others to get back some of that constitutional authority that Congress has in trade and tariffs so these things can be negotiated and depended upon and work like they’re supposed to without raising prices.”ย
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