Cooper and Linda Coleman, who is running for lieutenant governor, spoke at a breakfast at First Baptist Church in the Hodgestown community this morning.
Cooper said following his talk in the church’s packed fellowship hall the key to improving the economy not only in the Roanoke Valley, but Eastern North Carolina as a whole, begins with the state community colleges. “Clearly, we have to bolster our community colleges. Advanced manufacturing companies are not coming here until we get a well-trained workforce.”
Supporting public education as well as segments which promote economic development is also key. “We have to expand the Rural Center and restore local partnerships.”
During his talk to the audience, a mix of church members and leaders, local and state politicians as well as a few other candidates, Cooper asked them to support the local legislative delegation. “They need more help in Raleigh.”
The Democratic leadership in Raleigh, he said, “Was able to sidestep some bad legislation which would have shifted more tax burden,” on the middle class and poor.
Cooper asked those attending to support Coleman.
Democrats did much to move North Carolina forward, Coleman said. “When they (Republicans) came to power all of that went away. If we don’t reclaim those seats in the house, it will be two generations before we get things set right. This election is too important for any of us to sit back. We’ve lost jobs. We’ve lost our reputation.”
Cooper told the audience June Atkinson, who attended the breakfast, needs to be re-elected as state superintendent of public instruction and Dan Blue III needs to be elected as state treasurer. “Dan Blue III will do an incredible job as treasurer. What a great team we are going to make.”

In the photo gallery: Cooper talks with attendees and Coleman talks with one of her assistants.

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A native of Nashville in Nash County, Cooper said Eastern North Carolina “gets the short end of the stick. Rural areas are suffering.”
Cooper touted his support for public education in North Carolina. “I’m a product of public schools. My mom was a public school teacher. I know from her hard work what she’s done for our students. We need leaders in North Carolina who appreciate what teachers do, make sure they get paid what they deserve, make sure public schools get the support they deserve.”
Cooper said his education plan goes from the cradle to college. He said the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities are hurting. “We have to make sure we elect people committed to public education.”
The attorney general criticized McCrory boasting of a comeback in North Carolina. He said the comeback is for his cronies. “If you ask the working people whether they’ve seen a comeback in the state they will tell you they work harder and longer than they did before the recession. Governor McCrory is taking credit for the national economy. He kicked people off unemployment. Go ask working people if they’ve seen a tax cut, they’re saying they’re paying more. The governor raised taxes in 65 different ways at the expense public education. He puts his own ideology ahead of jobs and schools.”
Cooper said the state lost billions of tax dollars under McCrory’s watch and left many in the state scurrying to find healthcare. “We can’t get the benefit of the national plan. Now North Carolina is lagging behind. House Bill 2 cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars.”
He said the people of North Carolina are ready for a change. “They’re ready for a governor who will move us forward, not backward. I’ve had a number of Republicans who’ve said they’ve had enough of this.”
On the same hand, he said, “They’ve said you can’t beat an incumbent. Guess what’s going to happen this time? The polls show it, the fundraising shows it. I know the challenge we face.”
Cooper said the state needs tax fairness. He said the people assembled in the fellowship hall need to reach out to people who don’t think the election matters, using the example of a woman with two children and holding two jobs. “Let’s all work to go talk to that woman and say it does matter. Everybody in this church ought to vote. We’ve got to coordinate this campaign, we’ve got to walk, we’ve got to make calls. North Carolina is better than this. We will be again. I want our state back. Let’s go take it back.”