Roy Cooper brings Senate campaign affordability message to Kinston
Photo: Danny Perez/Neuse News
Former Gov. Roy Cooper brought his U.S. Senate campaign to Kinston on April 23, telling supporters at the Kinston Community Center that rising household costs are driving his bid for federal office.
Speaking as part of his “Make Stuff Cost Less” tour, Cooper framed the campaign around grocery prices, health care costs, child care expenses and housing affordability. He said North Carolinians want leaders in Washington focused on the financial strain facing working families.
“I’m running for people like Megan, whose budgets are getting busted by higher grocery prices,” Cooper said. “It’s why I’m doing this make stuff cost less tour across this state, because I am hearing from people about the cost of groceries, the cost of utilities, the cost of child care, the cost of health care, the cost of housing.”
Cooper also criticized his Republican opponent, Michael Whatley, and accused Washington leaders of downplaying the continued impact of inflation on families. He called for Congress to reclaim greater authority over trade policy, oppose what he described as chaotic tariffs and protect federal health insurance tax credits.
He also pointed to agriculture as a key issue for Eastern North Carolina, saying farmers are being squeezed by rising costs and trade instability.
“So it is critical that we support our farmers. And Washington right now is not doing that,” Cooper said when asked about priorities for Eastern North Carolina agriculture. “Agriculture is our number one economic driver in our state.” He said Congress should take back authority over trade and tariffs, arguing that tariff policy has driven up costs for farmers across North Carolina.
“We need leaders in Washington first who understand that, and secondly, are willing to stand up and do something about it,” Cooper said.
Kinston native and former City Council member Chris Suggs opened the event, calling Cooper “our 75th governor of North Carolina and next U.S. senator.” Suggs said families in eastern North Carolina continue to feel pressure from the costs of gas, groceries and health insurance.
Megan Roberts of Greenville also spoke before Cooper, offering personal examples of rising grocery bills and changes her family has made to cut costs. She said North Carolina needs “a fighter for all our families in the U.S. Senate.”
During his remarks, Cooper pointed to Medicaid expansion in North Carolina as one example of policy that lowered costs and expanded coverage. He said 725,000 people in North Carolina now have health insurance through expansion, including 5,600 people in Lenoir County.
Cooper said he decided to run after leaving office and watching policies from Washington that he believes threaten gains made in North Carolina.
“To whom much is given, much is required,” Cooper said, referencing the book of Luke. “And I knew what was required of me to step up and run for the United States Senate, because stuff just costs too much for people.”
He closed by telling supporters he intends to be “a strong, independent senator who puts people before party, people before politics, people before power.”
