DNC Day 4: NC Gov. Roy Cooper fires up crowd ahead of Harris

CHICAGO — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Vice President Kamala Harris’ relationship goes back years; the two worked hand in hand as attorneys general. On Thursday, Cooper was the speaker ahead of Harris.

“Are we going to send up?” Cooper said. “Are we going to fight? Are we going to win? You bet we are. Let’s go get them.”

Cooper put the spotlight on Harris’ work as attorney general who took on big banks and secured billions for homeowners.

He said that’s when he realized she was a fighter.

He spoke about being a fighter throughout his speech and said Harris would fight for all Americans, regardless of their background.

“America, we have a lot of big fights ahead of us and we got one hell of a fighter ready to take them on,” Cooper said.

Depending on how you look at the Democrats’ chances for winning North Carolina, the football is either on the one-yard line or is being pulled away like Lucy does to Charlie Brown. In 2020, Trump only won the state by 1.3 percent, the smallest margin of any state he won. North Carolina is the top target of the Democratic Party.

That’s why you’ll see Cooper in a prime speaking slot before Harris. All week he has been making the case for her candidacy. He says it feels like 2008 when former President Barack Obama won the state.

“She will be the kind of president that understands what you have to do to get legislation through Congress,” Cooper has stated. “She participated in that with the Biden administration which was amazing in what they were able to do in getting bill after bill that meant something to American families.”

In response to Cooper’s speech, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Republican Party says Cooper has a record of “deceit, failure and disregard for the rule of law.”

“As he auditions for the U.S. Senate in 2026, North Carolina voters simply want a governor who will work with the legislature to make the lives of North Carolina families better - and that’s what they’ll have when Mark Robinson is elected in November,” NCGOP spokesperson Matt Mercer said.

Cooper is term-limited. He withdrew his name from being considered for vice president but says he is open to serving in a Harris administration or running for US Senate in 2026.

‘Let’s get to business’

“OK, let’s get to business,” Harris said after she was greeted with a standing ovation.

The former prosecutor listed off Trump’s conviction in the New York fraud case, as well as the judgment against him in the E. Jean Carroll case.

“Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails and how he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States, not to improve your life, not to strengthen our national security but to serve the only client that he has ever had: himself,” Harris said.

“We are charting a new way forward, forward to a future with a strong middle class,” Harris said. “And building that middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency.”

Durham mayor highlights Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts into small businesses

Durham mayor says Harris is best for small businesses

Thursday night wasn’t the Durham mayor’s first taste of national recognition. Mayor Leonardo Williams was an invited guest of Joe Biden at a debate in 2020. Now he is speaking on behalf of Harris and credits the Biden-Harris Administration with helping his business succeed.

Williams is a rising star in the North Carolina Democratic Party. In 2018, Williams and his wife emptied their savings and opened Zweli’s, America’s first Zimbabwean restaurant.

He says small business grants provided by the Biden-Harris Administration helped, not only keep his business afloat during Covid, but thrive. He now has three locations, has more than 30 employees, and says they all make a living wage.

Williams says that Harris will create an opportunity economy that will help entrepreneurs like him.

“As president, she will support risk-takers and problem-solvers who want to just do their part and claim their piece of the American dream,” Williams said.

There was a rumor throughout the night that Beyoncé would be a special guest but she did not show.

However, a Charlotte native who wasn’t on the schedule did send in a surprise video. NBA superstar Steph Curry endorsed her for president.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

(WATCH: DNC Night 4 preview)

DNC Day 4: NC Gov. Roy Cooper to speak Thursday night

©2024 Cox Media Group