Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, stated in video footage obtained by Fox News Digital that he will not sign the 'Promise to America,' a pledge created by moderate Democrats to repudiate socialist policy positions. Cooper, the former governor of North Carolina, argued that the Democratic Party requires a 'wide spectrum' of ideological voices to effectively challenge the Republican Party, particularly in a state that has historically leaned Republican.
The footage, captured during an interview, shows Cooper addressing questions about his relationship with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the broader progressive wing of the party. Cooper is running to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and faces Republican nominee Michael Whatley, the former chair of the Republican National Committee, in the Nov. 3 general election. His refusal to sign the anti-socialist pledge has drawn scrutiny from within his own party and from political opponents.
What the Left Is Saying
Cooper’s campaign and supporters emphasize that his stance is one of pragmatic coalition-building rather than ideological alignment with the far left. In the video, Cooper stated, '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. I think we need to have all kinds of folks to be a part of our party.' He further noted the urgency of the moment, saying, '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 has consistently positioned himself as a moderate capable of working across the aisle. When asked directly if he was a Communist, Cooper told the New York Times, 'For the record, no. I have a record of working across the aisle. The people of North Carolina know that I can be a senator that puts them first. Before power, before party, before politics.' His campaign reiterated this position in a statement to Fox News Digital, noting, 'The only pledge Roy makes is to the people of North Carolina. 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.'
The Democratic Socialists of America, the organization whose policies are central to the 'Promise to America' debate, describes its vision on its website as a society where 'comfortable housing is a human right' and essential services like 'Food, education, energy, medicine and transportation aren’t for-profit businesses; they are common goods and utilities.' The DSA advocates for positions such as abolishing the U.S. Senate and establishing public ownership of corporations. While Cooper is not officially backed by the DSA, his reluctance to distance himself from their policy platform highlights the ongoing tension between establishment Democrats and progressive activists.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican officials and commentators view Cooper’s refusal to sign the pledge as evidence of the Democratic Party’s shift toward radical policies. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaking at an energy summit hosted by Club for Growth and Arnold Ventures, argued that moderate Democrats are failing to stand up to the progressive wing. 'That dynamic is dangerous right now because they are terrified of the extreme left. Finding a middle ground on ideological issues right now is … the prospects for success, particularly between now and election day, are not high,' Cruz said.
Cruz further criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, stating, 'Schumer is truly terrified right now.' Republicans in North Carolina are using the video to paint Cooper as out of step with the state’s more conservative electorate, suggesting that his 'big-tent' approach amounts to an embrace of socialist economic policies. The campaign of Michael Whatley, Cooper’s Republican opponent, is expected to leverage these comments to question Cooper’s fiscal responsibility and his alignment with national Democratic leadership.
The 'Promise to America' initiative, which Cooper rejected, was designed by moderate Democrats to draw a clear line between their platform and that of socialist candidates. By declining to sign it, Cooper has opened himself to attacks from Republicans who argue that the Democratic Party is increasingly dominated by the far left. Critics note that while Cooper claims independence from the DSA, his rhetoric about 'banding together' suggests a willingness to accommodate views that moderate voters might find extreme.
What the Numbers Show
North Carolina has been a competitive swing state in recent election cycles. Sen. Thom Tillis, the incumbent Cooper is challenging, won re-election in 2020, but the state has trended toward Democrats in down-ballot races and gubernatorial elections. Cooper served as governor from 2017 to 2025, a period during which he worked with a Republican-controlled legislature. His ability to navigate that divided government is a central pillar of his campaign narrative.
The DSA’s policy platform includes abolishing the U.S. Senate, a position that contrasts sharply with the traditional two-party system. The 'Promise to America' pledge was circulated among Democratic candidates in several key races, including those in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as a tool to reassure moderate voters. Cooper’s decision not to sign it places him in a minority among some moderate Democratic nominees who have publicly embraced the pledge to differentiate themselves from progressive challengers in their primaries.
The Bottom Line
Cooper’s refusal to sign the 'Promise to America' pledge underscores the strategic dilemma facing Democrats in purple states: whether to appeal to the progressive base energized by the DSA or to reassure moderate and independent voters wary of socialist policies. With the general election approaching, the video footage provides a concrete data point for both campaigns. Cooper’s team argues that unity is essential to defeating Republicans in a divided government, while his opponents contend that his stance signals an acceptance of far-left ideologies that could alienate swing voters in North Carolina.
The outcome of the Cooper-Whatley race may serve as a bellwether for how Democrats navigate the ideological split between their moderate and progressive wings in future cycles. As the campaign intensifies, both sides are expected to focus heavily on Cooper’s comments, with Republicans emphasizing the 'socialist' label and Cooper’s team framing the issue as one of broad coalition-building necessary to reclaim legislative power.