Roy Cooper Says Democrats Need Room for Socialist Candidates: Report

By Andrew Powell (/journals/andrew-powell)

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, said Democrats should make room for a broad range of views rather than distance themselves from socialist candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. According to Fox News, Cooper was asked whether he would sign the "Promise to America," a pledge promoted by moderate Democrats that rejects socialist positions. He said he saw no reason to sign it. "I don’t see any need to," Cooper said in video obtained by Fox News Digital. "I think the party needs a wide spectrum, particularly at a time when the Republican Party is shrinking and having all kinds of loyalty tests," Cooper said. "I think we need to have all kinds of folks to be a part of our party." The comments come as the DSA has gained greater attention during the 2026 election cycle. The organization has advocated policies including abolishing the U.S. Senate, public ownership of corporations, and eliminating Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to its platform. Cooper is not affiliated with the DSA and has presented himself as a Democrat capable of working with Republicans. During his tenure as North Carolina governor from 2017 through 2025, he frequently dealt with a Republican-controlled legislature. He has also rejected suggestions that his political views align with socialism. Asked by The New York Times whether he was a communist, Cooper responded, "For the record, no," while pointing to his record of working across party lines. His campaign similarly sought to separate him from the DSA's agenda. "The only pledge Roy makes is to the people of North Carolina," the campaign told Fox News Digital. "Roy is not a socialist, and he will work with anyone, including Republicans, as he has done his entire career to lower costs for hardworking families and fight for North Carolina." Republicans have questioned whether moderate Democrats are willing to confront the party's increasingly progressive wing. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Thursday that Democrats are "terrified of the extreme left" as socialist candidates have made gains in Democratic primaries. Cooper argued that Democrats need to remain united in opposing the Trump administration rather than impose additional ideological requirements on party members. "Particularly now when we’re in such difficult straits, and we’re in a foxhole right now. We’ve all got to be together to take our government back," Cooper said. "We could fall to the autocracy anytime we don’t stick together. So, I don’t see the need signing something." Cooper now faces Republican nominee Michael Whatley in the Nov. 3 general election for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.