The Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican political action committee, rolled out a $17 million advertising campaign lambasting North Carolina Democratic Senate Candidate Roy Cooper for approving the release of thousands of inmates as governor.
The SLF’s latest ad rollout is the opening act to the PAC’s $71 million investment in the Tar Heel State in support of GOP nominee Michael Whatley.
SLF’s “40 Years is Enough” ad was paired with a website of the same name, and is intended to be “a dedicated hub for voters to learn more about Cooper’s horrendous record that’s devastated families and unleashed chaos across North Carolina.”
The website highlights Cooper’s tenures across several political offices, particularly for releasing his approval to release nearly 3,500 prisoners convicted of violent crimes, including murder, early as part of a COVID-19 settlement.
Whatley and his party have particularly gone after Cooper as it relates to the killing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman who moved to Charlotte in 2022 after Russia invaded her homeland. Zarutska’s alleged killer, DeCarlos Brown Jr., was released early from prison by then-Gov. Cooper shortly before the lawsuit was settled, but was included by Cooper in release numbers.
Cooper’s record of releasing inmates early has been a focal point for the GOP, as the PAC has been running an email series called “Roy Cooper’s Felon Friday,” where the PAC highlights other convicted felons who were released early by Cooper.
“Roy Cooper advanced his career on the backs of grieving parents and widows, catering to Far-Left groups and releasing thousands of violent criminals from prison early,” SLF Communications Director Chris Gustafson said. “SLF is strongly committed to ensuring voters reject Cooper and his deadly record and are proud to support Michael Whatley’s campaign to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina.”
The Democrats’ super PAC, Senate Majority PAC, recently poured $11 million into Cooper’s bid, making the total investment into the former governor’s campaign in the ballpark of $42 million.
ROY COOPER FOUND HIS CONSCIENCE TWO HOURS AFTER CHUCK SCHUMER DID
While Republicans hold 10 of North Carolina’s 14 House seats, as well as both Senate seats, Democrats view the state as a prime pickup opportunity, as the seat is open due to Sen. Thom Tillis’s (R-NC) plans to retire. Cook Political Report rates the seat as leaning Democrat, and recent polling suggests a Cooper lead.
Polling from Siena College from the beginning of July shows a 7-point lead over Whatley. Other polls represent a narrower margin with a larger percentage of undecided voters.