Axios: “North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper delivered the final speech ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night in Chicago, cementing his position as one of the party’s biggest stars.
Why it matters: Cooper’s prime-time speech — a coveted slot on the final night of the convention — comes on the heels of a monthlong flurry of national attention on the term-limited governor and this swing state, which Democrats hope to win in November.
- It’s yet another sign of the focus this year on North Carolina, which former President Trump won in 2020 by just 1.3%.
- “Hello, America. I’m Roy Cooper, the last guy standing between you and the moment we’re all waiting for,” Cooper began.
Driving the news: A frequent surrogate and loyal soldier for the entirety of the Biden-Harris administration, Cooper hosted President Joe Biden and Harris in North Carolina a combined 11 times this year before Biden dropped out of the race.”