Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s Senate campaign has drawn criticism from Republicans due to over $250,000 spent on private security, according to federal records. Fox News Digital reports that Cooper’s campaign has allocated $277,312.28 for security expenses during the 2026 election cycle. This funding went to vendors Foresight Solutions and Frontpoint, which provide security assessments, workplace safety training, de-escalation techniques, and home-security systems.
The scrutiny comes amid Cooper’s campaign facing Republican attacks over his stance on policing, criminal justice reform, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cooperation, and policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The GOP also highlights the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train, associating it with Cooper’s broader criminal justice approach, including a racial equity task force that explored cash bail changes.
Republican strategist Mark Bednar criticized Cooper’s alleged hypocrisy, stating, “The issue isn’t whether Democrats deem it necessary to keep themselves safe, but prioritizing their own security while hiding soft-on-crime records from voters.” Bednar accused Cooper of releasing criminals early during his tenure as governor, impacting local safety.
“In an election year that’s going to come down to the wire, blatant hypocrisy like this is going to stick out to voters,” Bednar commented.
A spokesperson for Cooper’s campaign defended his public safety track record, citing his efforts to incarcerate violent criminals, enforce stricter bail laws, and improve law enforcement measures. The campaign suggested that Republican opponent Michael Whatley displayed hypocrisy by appointing a convicted child sex predator to a significant role within the North Carolina Republican Party.
Michael Whatley’s campaign accused Cooper of mismanaging key challenges, citing COVID-era inmate releases. The spokesperson stated, “Roy Cooper released thousands of convicted criminals back onto North Carolina’s streets instead of fighting in court,” resulting in harmful consequences.