Security Spending in Cooper’s Senate Campaign Raises Eyebrows
Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s Senate campaign has reportedly spent over $250,000 on private security, which offers Republicans the opportunity to challenge Cooper’s policies. This spending has drawn attention on a Fox News digital program, focusing on federal records and accusing Senate Democrats of implementing measures that compromise safety for North Carolinians.
According to records from the Federal Election Commission, Cooper’s campaign has disbursed $277,312.28 on security costs during his 2026 campaign. The funds were allocated to two security firms: Foresight Solutions and Frontpoint. Foresight Solutions claims to offer customized security assessments and training, while Frontpoint provides home security systems aimed at safeguarding residences and families.
This financial decision comes amid Republican criticisms of Cooper’s record on policing and criminal justice, particularly his interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding inmate releases.
Republican critics argue that Cooper’s position on criminal justice reflects broader issues in his policies, including his involvement with the Racial Equity Task Force, which advocated for bail reforms. This criticism gained traction after the murder of Ukrainian refugee Irina Zalutka on a Charlotte light rail train.
Supreme Court Justice Advocates for Security Budget
Mark Bednar, a Republican strategist and former communications director for prominent GOP figures, expressed disdain for what he described as Cooper’s “blatant hypocrisy,” pointing to the disparity between Cooper’s personal security choices and his public safety policies. He stated, “Voters should question why Democrats prioritize their safety while hiding from their lenience on crime that endangers communities.”
Bednar criticized Cooper for permitting the early release of numerous offenders, many of whom went on to commit additional crimes, and obstructing local law enforcement from working with immigration agents. He believes this perceived incongruity will resonate with voters as the election approaches.
In defense against these accusations, Cooper’s campaign pushed back, asserting that the former governor’s security protocols were justified and that Republican opponent Michael Whatley exhibited his own hypocrisy. A spokesperson for Cooper highlighted his record of combating violent crime while accusing Whatley of appointing a convicted sex offender to a significant party role.
Cooper’s spokesperson emphasized that while he was championing tough-on-crime initiatives, Whatley was linked to appointing Harvey Lee West, a convicted child sex offender, to the North Carolina Republican Party Planning Committee. PolitiFact corroborated that West pleaded guilty to multiple counts of indecency with a child and had a history with the party.
The campaign also contested claims regarding Cooper’s pandemic-era inmate releases, noting that previous Republican statements criticized him for not taking sufficient action against COVID-19 in correctional facilities. Additionally, they pointed out Cooper’s extensive tenure as state attorney general, where he contributed to creating laws aimed at stricter drug trafficking penalties and providing law enforcement with more resources.
In response to Cooper’s critiques, Whatley’s team defended their stance, reiterating concerns that Cooper mishandled vital issues. “Roy Cooper has blood on his hands,” spokesperson DJ Griffin stated, accusing the former governor of failing to combat crime effectively, unlike his Democratic counterparts in other states.
