Republicans are executing a ruthless, coordinated campaign to strip millions of Americans of their right to vote.

But today's guest, Governor Roy Cooper, he's now the Democratic candidate for Senate, and he's fresh

off his primary victory on Tuesday, and now he's stepping up to take on RNC Chair Michael Watley,

who is one of the chief architects of Donald Trump's election

denial movement. In this conversation, we're going to break down exactly what's at stake

in the 2026 midterm elections. We're going to discuss the cruel tactics Republicans are using

to disenfranchise voters and preparing to subvert the outcome of free and fair elections.

And we're going to talk about the strategies we can all use to stop them before it's too late. But before we get into it, subscribe to this channel to stay informed about how you can defend democracy. Governor Roy Cooper, welcome to defending democracy. Thank you, Mark. Grateful to be here with you. Appreciate all the great work you're doing out there. Well, look, there's no one who's been more of a partner in the fight for free and fair elections and democracy than you.

I mean, people don't necessarily remember, but I do.

You were Attorney General and you were in that fight back then.

And then as governor, you led the fight for, frankly, you know, fight after fight after fight for free and fair elections against a pretty hostile state legislature and others.

So we're going to get into all of that, but I got to kick it off by just congratulating you on what was an epic landslide of a victory on Tuesday in your Senate primary.

So tell us a little bit about why you decided to run,

how you interpret where the race stands right now, and kind of where you think it goes from here.

Well, I think we're at a perilous time in our country, and I knew I needed to step up.

I'm really running for Stephanie, who I was with yesterday, who has a teacher with two small children,

and she's really getting squeezed at the grocery store with higher prices.

Running for Meredith, who's got a kid named Vivian, who's medical treatment is at risk

because of this big, beautiful bill that's been passed.

Running for Pender, who's a farmer here, who's getting killed by these tariffs.

And I'm talking with so many people who are just getting squeezed because things cost too much.

Rents too high, utilities, childcare is a struggle for people,

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