Cooper Vows to Make Stuff Cost Less in Senate Bid

Former NC Governor Pushes Agenda to Address Rising Costs of Utilities, Healthcare, and Housing

Mar. 19, 2026 at 9:06am

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In his U.S. Senate campaign, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper visited Asheville on March 18, pushing a new slogan to "make stuff cost less." Cooper highlighted rising costs of everyday services like rent, electricity, and healthcare, and vowed to take on data centers and modernize the state's power grid if elected.

Why it matters

Cooper's focus on reducing the cost of living aligns with key concerns of North Carolina voters, who have seen significant price hikes in recent years across housing, utilities, and other essential services. As the Democratic nominee, Cooper's platform could sway voters concerned about affordability and the economic impacts of issues like the war in Iran.

The details

During his Asheville stop, Cooper took aim at data centers, saying they increase strain on the state's power grid and leave consumers "footing part of the bill." He pledged to work to ensure data centers pay the full cost of their power usage and that large tech companies build their own energy sources. Cooper also called for banning utilities from disconnecting power during dangerous weather and improving the state's aging electrical grid.

  • Cooper handedly won the March 3 Democratic primary, with 92% of voters choosing him as their candidate.
  • Fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Asheville increased 36% from 2020 to 2026.
  • Across North Carolina, monthly residential power bills increased 22% from 2020 to 2025.
  • The average insurance rate through the Affordable Care Act saw rate hikes of roughly 29% in 2026.

The players

Roy Cooper

Democratic former Governor of North Carolina who is running for U.S. Senate, with a campaign focused on reducing the cost of living.

Michael Whatley

Former Republican National Committee chairman who is running against Cooper for the U.S. Senate seat, framing his campaign around public safety.

Josh Stein

Current Governor of North Carolina who has led an Energy Policy Task Force that found a 22% increase in residential power bills from 2020 to 2025.

Chuck Edwards

Republican state representative who has criticized Governor Stein's request for additional federal funding for recovery from Tropical Storm Helene.

John Garcia

Owner of Lookout Brewing in Asheville, who said his electrical bill had increased by roughly $1,300 in recent years.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of our power grid is old and simply out of date. With technology evolving so quickly, we have an opportunity right now to modernize the grid.”

— Roy Cooper, Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate

“The American people deserve answers and they deserve leaders who will focus on making life less expensive here at home like they promised, instead of spending billions of dollars on wars overseas.”

— Roy Cooper, Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate

What’s next

If elected, Cooper has pledged to work to ensure data centers pay the full cost of their power usage, ban utilities from disconnecting power during dangerous weather, and improve North Carolina's electrical grid.

The takeaway

Cooper's focus on reducing the cost of living, from housing and utilities to healthcare, resonates with North Carolina voters who have faced significant price hikes in recent years. His platform to take on data centers and modernize the state's power grid could sway voters concerned about affordability and the economic impacts of national issues like the war in Iran.