2020 governors race Coverage

For inauguration, Cooper to follow his own COVID-19 advice

Four years after winter weather hindered Roy Cooper's first inauguration, concerns for the coronavirus will again leave the governor with a smaller swearing-in party than his predecessors.

By Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

WRAL's David Crabtree and Travis Fain break down Tuesday's election results

WRAL's David Crabtree and Travis Fain break down the federal, state and local elections as Election Night goes into early Wednesday morning.

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest talks to supporters after losing governor race to Roy Cooper

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest speaks to supporters at a watch party in Selma after losing the election for governor to incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper.

Gov. Roy Cooper speaks after winning re-election

Incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper is speaking at the North Carolina Democratic Party Headquarters after being re-elected.

Cooper re-elected, Republican Robinson becomes NC's first Black Lt.Gov.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper jumped out to an early lead over Republican Dan Forest in the governor's race and never relinquished it Tuesday, winning election to a second four-year term to lead North Carolina.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Forest supporters remain at event despite Cooper being re-elected as governor

WRAL's Aaron Thomas was in Johnston County with the campaign for governor for Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. Gov. Roy Cooper has been re-elected as governor, according to NBC News.

Political consultant on NC races 'It's a weird year'

WRAL's David Crabtree spoke with independent lobbyist and political consultant Theresa Kostrzewa about the key national and state races in North Carolina and what we may be able to expect as the polls close and the votes are counted.

Democrats confident Cooper, Cunningham can wins respective elections

WRAL's Joe Fisher was at Democratic headquarters in Raleigh, where officials were closely watching the race for governor, where Gov. Roy Cooper currently leads. The race for US Senate between Democrat Cal Cunningham and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis remains tight.

Fact check: Did Dan Forest miss 'almost half' of education board meetings during pandemic?

During the North Carolina gubernatorial debate, Gov. Roy Cooper said Lt. Gov. Dan Forest had missed "almost half" of the N.C. Board of Education meetings since the pandemic started. Forest said he has "been to almost every one of those meetings." Here's what PolitiFact found.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Forest not making dent in Cooper's lead

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is maintaining a comfortable lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest with days left in the campaign, while the race for North Carolina's No. 2 position remains tight, according to the results of a WRAL News poll released Thursday.

Poll: Cooper maintains wide lead over Forest

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has opened up a wider lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest in the battle to lead North Carolina for the next four years, according to the results of a WRAL News poll released Wednesday.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Full interview: Pollster discusses NC governor's race

Jay Leve, chief executive of SurveyUSA, discusses the results of a new WRAL News poll on the North Carolina governor's race and the pace of reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Fact check: Cooper says Forest would allow 'rich' to use state aid for private schools

In a gubernatorial debate, Gov. Roy Cooper said Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest would allow "rich" families to use public tax dollars on a private school education. PolitiFact finds there's some truth to his claim, but it also lacks context.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Is Cooper right about North Carolina, Georgia COVID-19 numbers?

In North Carolina's only gubernatorial debate of the year, Republican candidate Dan Forest praised Georgia's response to the coronavirus outbreak while Democratic incumbent Roy Cooper compared COVID-19 stats in both states. PolitiFact North Carolina checked Cooper's numbers.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Unmasking the truth

Thursday Oct. 15, 2020 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Analysis: Cooper more aggressive than necessary, Forest deftly handled attacks

Meredith College political science professor David McLennan provides analysis on the debate between Gov. Roy Cooper and Lt. Gov. Dan Forest.

Pandemic dominates debate between Cooper, Forest

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest exchanged verbal jabs Wednesday night about the coronavirus pandemic, masks, schools and violent protests during their only scheduled debate before Election Day.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Cooper, Forest engage in lone gubernatorial debate

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest hold their only in-person debate before Election Day.

'You cannot win this state if you're a Republican and you do not win men'

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has opened up a wider lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest in the battle to lead North Carolina for the next four years, according to the results of a WRAL News poll released Wednesday.

Poll: Cooper extends lead over Forest

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has opened up a wider lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest in the battle to lead North Carolina for the next four years, according to the results of a WRAL News poll released Wednesday.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Rancor over NC pandemic response fills governor's race

They weren't in the same place or even speaking at the same time on Thursday, but Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest were slamming each other over how North Carolina has handled the coronavirus pandemic.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Cooper, Forest trade barbs over masks during virtual forum on schools

Gov. Roy Cooper and Lt. Gov. Dan Forest went off script Monday in a forum on educational issues to debate wearing masks in public.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Candidates for governor, NC superintendent discuss education issues

Democratic and Republican candidates for governor and superintendent of public instruction meet in a forum sponsored by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators.

Cooper discusses public education with voters

On Thursday evening, Governor Cooper talked with voters about public education.

Nia Harden, WRAL reporter

Fact check: Forest says flu '17 times' more dangerous to kids than coronavirus

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest said: "All evidence points to the fact that our kids are 17 times more likely to have ill effects from the seasonal flu than they are from the coronavirus." PolitiFact finds that Forest, the Republican candidate for governor, cherry-picked a stat from the Wall Street Journal editorial board.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter