Roy Cooper

I believe that North Carolina is Strong, Resilient and Ready to face the challenges of the future.

In Raleigh, partisan battles, power struggles and lawsuits might grab the headlines, but we have to work together where we can. To look beyond ourselves to see what's right for the state, regardless of who's in power. That's what the people of North Carolina want us to do, and what common sense demands us to do.

Too many people feel stuck in the middle - not wealthy by any measure, but doing just well enough that the social safety net isn't there for them. They feel left behind by a system that isn't listening to them and an economy that isn't rewarding them for their hard work.

Being elected to serve the people of every county, every city, every legislative district, and every community in between helps me realize just how big and diverse our state really is.

We want companies looking to expand to come to North Carolina because there's no better place to invest and grow.

A talented workforce, excellent access to markets and a competitive business climate make our state a top destination for global manufacturers.

Every February, we celebrate the heritage and contributions of African Americans in North Carolina and around the country. North Carolina holds an important place in African American history going back generations.

During Black History Month, we not only should celebrate those who have made North Carolina a better place to live for everyone, but we should also acknowledge the deep sacrifices people made to get us to where we are now.

Improving highways and mass transit will make North Carolina an even better place to live and do business.

The dedicated men and women of the Highway Patrol work tirelessly, every day and through all the long nights of the year, to protect the people of North Carolina, and I'm grateful for their service.

Stalking brings fear, uncertainty, and violence into the lives of victims. Public awareness is a crucial step forward in protecting women and men from stalking and intimate partner violence.

Our schools have made our state great, and we have to make our public schools the best they can be.

I'm committed to raising teacher pay and will fight to make significant progress every year until we get there.

Improving education is an area where we can find common ground. We have to measure our progress and hold ourselves accountable.

High speed Internet is vital for education and telemedicine but also for every person, from small business owner and farmer to big corporation and hospital.

Too many of our teachers are working multiple jobs - and it's still not enough.

If we want to recruit and keep the best educators, we need to pay them better.

North Carolinians have shown we know how to lift one another up.

Let's cast aside notions of red counties or blue counties and recognize that these are artificial divisions.

We can respect our disagreements, but we must cherish our democracy.

In hard times, North Carolinians have shown that we bounce back. But that's not by chance. It's because we are determined. Determined to tough it out. To help each other, and leave no one behind. Determined to turn our obstacles into opportunities.

We cannot continue leaving teachers behind but expecting them to lead the way for our children.

We know COVID-19 hasn't affected communities equally.

People are more important than property.

Our whole community is made better when students earn the credentials or degrees they need to find a better-paying job that will help them support themselves and their families.

The Duke lacrosse case put North Carolina in a bad light, internationally. It was important that we go in and right the wrongs of that case, and I think we did.

Parks contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities and are an important resource for all people, including those with special needs.

We are a welcoming state. Our people are welcoming.

From life-saving treatments and medical supplies to personal jets and agricultural equipment, North Carolina-made products are making tremendous impacts on the world.

A local pharmacy is a great place to get a safe and effective COVID vaccine as well as a flu shot. It's critical that people get these vaccines to protect themselves and slow the spread of the COVID virus as well as the flu.

North Carolina enjoys a worldwide reputation as a center for textile research and workers. Our excellent business climate and location offer international firms an ideal place to reach and serve customers in the United States.

Companies that continue to innovate and invest in research and development are the kinds of high-tech job creators we want working with North Carolina.

We need aggressive healing, a strong voice that will continue to understand that diversity is our strength.

We have to do what we think is right, even though we may have to stand up to some loud voices in our own parties in order to get something done.

A lot of us have the same goals of wanting a great future for our kids and good paying jobs and having clean water when you turn on the tap.

I think it's important to be up front with where you differ with your opponent and be ready to take that on.

Racism exists at all different levels in our society.

It is on us to support our children and early childhood educators as we work toward having a healthier and better educated state where people have the opportunity to live a more abundant and purposeful life.

Better teacher pay combined with scholarships in exchange for teaching in our public schools can help North Carolina attract and keep talented teachers.

Making North Carolina a Top 10 Educated state is the backbone for a strong economy, attracting good paying jobs, helping incomes rise and keeping our communities vibrant.

Education is the key to opportunity and ensuring our students are ready for jobs in a 21st century economy.

In my talks with business owners, I hear time and again that they have job openings but can't find workers with the skills necessary to fill them.

We don't want cost to be a barrier to good students getting a higher education.

Women have helped shape North Carolina in every discipline and industry, from manufacturing, medicine, and law to business, the arts, and sciences.

Judges make tough decisions on child abuse, divorce, property disputes, drunk driving, domestic violence and other issues that should be free from politics.

We should let people elect judges based on their experience and ability to do the job, not which party they pick.

We need less politics in the courtroom, not more.

North Carolina wants its judges to be fair and impartial, and partisan politics has no place on the judges' bench.

North Carolina is blessed with amazing coastal resources and we need to safeguard our coast because it helps drive our economy.

It is an incredible honor and privilege to serve as the governor of this great state, and I will work to be a governor of all of North Carolina.