Five weeks from Election Day, the North Carolina U.S. Senate contest has entered a new phase as the Senate Leadership Fund released a television advertisement featuring two senior police officials. Chef Effler, a 30‑year veteran and president of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, and David Rose, retired assistant police chief in Winston‑Salem and president of the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association, argue that Democrat Roy Cooper’s policies “handcuff the cops and take the handcuffs off criminals.”
Law‑enforcement leaders criticize Cooper’s record
In the ad titled “Roy Cooper Betrayed Law Enforcement,” Rose says, “Convicted prisoners in our community does not make any community safer. He showed up with policies that handcuff the cops and took the handcuffs off the criminals.” Effler adds, “I don’t know who is writing the script for his TV, but it’s false.” The message is aimed at supporting Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, who has positioned himself as the candidate of public‑safety advocates.
Cooper’s response
In June, Cooper aired a 30‑second spot defending his record. He states, “Keep your family safe and lock up criminals – that’s what most North Carolinians want. As your attorney general, I put drug dealers, rapists and murderers in prison and kept them there. As your governor, I toughened bail laws, went after drug dealers pushing fentanyl and said, ‘no way do we defund the police.’” Cooper concludes, “I’m Roy Cooper, and I approve this message because you deserve to feel safe. And there’s nothing political about that.”
Policy disputes at the center of the campaign
The debate centers on several specific policies. Cooper, while governor, supported the elimination of cash bail, a reform championed by a task force he created to “reimagine public safety.” Critics argue that cash‑less bail has contributed to the release of individuals who later reoffended. Rose claims that under Cooper’s tenure, more than 4,200 inmates were released, with 25 subsequently charged with murder.
Cooper’s record also includes a 2021 settlement of a lawsuit filed by civil‑rights groups, which resulted in the release of roughly 3,500 inmates, some of whom had previously been on death row. Follow‑up reporting indicates that 18 of those individuals now face murder charges and more than 600 felony charges have been filed against the group. Additionally, Cooper commuted sentences for 15 people convicted of homicide.
Political stakes
The Senate seat is viewed as pivotal for control of the chamber. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, and a win in North Carolina would further solidify their majority. The Senate Leadership Fund’s ad underscores the broader national narrative that law‑and‑order issues are decisive in the 2026 midterms.
Both campaigns continue to air advertisements as the election window narrows. Whatley’s campaign has highlighted endorsements from the North Carolina Troopers Association, while Cooper relies on his long‑standing record as attorney general and governor to appeal to voters who prioritize safety.
What’s next
With the ballot period now open for 61 days, voters in North Carolina will have ample time to evaluate the competing claims. Local precincts are preparing for a high‑turnout election, and both parties are mobilizing volunteers to ensure their supporters reach the polls.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
