Christopher A. Cooper
Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science & Public Affairs and Director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy | Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC, UNITED STATES
Christopher A. Cooper's research is on N.C. politics, southern politics, political behavior and behavioral public administration.
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Biography
Christopher A. Cooper is the Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor and director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University. He has received Western Carolina University’s highest awards for...
Industry Expertise (5)
Research
Political Organization
Education/Learning
Writing and Editing
Public Policy
Areas of Expertise (7)
Election Administration
Public Administration
Southern Politics
American Politics
Parties, Campaigns and Elections
State and Local Government
Research Methods
Accomplishments (3)
University Scholar (professional)
2011 - Western Carolina University
North Carolina Professor of the Year (professional)
2013 - Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Board of Governors Teaching Award (professional)
2013 - Western Carolina University
Education (3)
University of Tennessee Knoxville: Ph.D.
University of Tennessee Knoxville: M.A.
Winthrop University: B.A.
Links (4)
Languages (1)
- English
Media Appearances (43)
Stakes in Griffin-Riggs case go beyond battle for one NC Supreme Court seat
Carolina Public Press online
2025-04-22
Up for grabs is the NC Supreme Court seat, but also answers to questions about voter eligibility, voting rights and whether losing candidates can challenge votes this long after an election, said Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper.
In contested Supreme Court race, NC Republicans test their ability to overturn an election
Yahoo! News online
2025-04-11
As Griffin’s challenge continues to painstakingly wind its way through the courts system, voters, activists and politicians are watching intently, wondering what sweeping precedent could be set by overturning the results of an election. As Western Carolina University political scientist Chris Cooper put it: “Pandora’s box doesn’t even begin to describe what would be opening up if he ends up winning.”
'Extending an olive branch': Stein, GOP work together toward bipartisan goals
WRAL News online
2025-04-10
Still, political analysts have noticed that the partisan battles have cooled to start the year. Stein “is extending the olive branch,” said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University. “And, at least thus far, it appears that the Republicans are taking it.”
Comparing last Tuesday’s elections to 2017
WFAE 90.7
2025-04-07
Western Carolina University Political Science Professor Chris Cooper says Edwards is the most vulnerable of the 10. “That’s not the same as saying he is likely to lose,” Cooper said. “There are only seven Democrats currently in Congress who represent districts that lean in the Republican direction. None of those seven represent a district that leans as heavily towards the Republican Party as (Edwards’ district).”
60K disputed North Carolina ballots may be thrown out if not cured
North Carolina Daily online
2025-04-04
As Chris Cooper, a political scientist at Western Carolina University, explained to Courthouse News, that's because it isn't possible to identify the ballots of voters who did not vote early or absentee, as the ballots are not retrievable once cast. "Had these voters waited until election day to cast their vote - rather than voting early or by absentee ballot - their vote would not be subject to petitioner's challenge and, thus, not currently at risk of being discounted," Hampson wrote in his scathing dissent.
Political expert warns Trump's tariff strategy could lead to inflation
ABC 13 News online
2025-04-02
A local political scientist explains what President Donald Trump predicts will happen with global tariffs. Western Carolina University Political Science Professor Dr. Chris Cooper said Trump's favorability numbers have slipped.
Purple reign: NC’s history of split-ticket voting is ‘democracy working’
Carolina Public Press online
2025-03-24
In a sense, the impetus of North Carolina’s ticket-splitting culture may be geography. As a peripheral southern state, North Carolina has found itself caught between the political ideologies of the North and South throughout history, Cooper said. “The South was overwhelmingly Democratic,” he explained. “We were not as Democratic as our southern neighbors, and when the South went overwhelmingly Republican, we didn’t go quite as Republican as our neighbors. We’re sort of sitting somewhere in the middle.”
Opinion: Have Chuck Edwards and other members of Congress abdicated their role as a check on President Trump?
AVL Watchdog online
2025-03-24
Western Carolina University political scientist Chris Cooper said the nation’s founders set up the three branches of government specifically to ensure they retain their own power. The founders also were worried about having an executive who decided to become a king, or a dictator. Cooper cited the Federalist 51, in which James Madison argued that “ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” In other words, the founders wanted to prevent any one governmental branch from becoming too powerful. Cooper said it means that each of the three branches is supposed to have the freedom to fight the others. “What that means is that each branch has to see themselves as important,” Cooper said. “If there is no ambition to counteract the ambition, then one side wins.”
Why Thom Tillis Shouldn’t Worry About the Primary
The Assembley online
2025-03-16
Donald Trump and his advisers have bashed the North Carolina senator. A political scientist explains why their efforts to find a Republican who can beat him in the primary are almost certain to fail.
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards addresses tense town hall in Asheville, North Carolina
WYFF News 4 online
2025-03-14
Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said he was not surprised the town hall turned chaotic, adding there is pent up frustration from Democrats. "The biggest story from last night's town hall, from my vantage point, is that it happened," Cooper said. "People are clued in. People are paying attention to politics, and I think if you want people to be clued in, to pay attention, to vote, to get their voices heard, it's not always going to be pretty."
'I'd do it again': NC congressman downplays events of Asheville town hall, plans to hold more
WRAL News online
2025-03-14
Western Carolina University political scientist Chris Cooper said it’s not hard to understand the concern many GOP senators and congressmen feel. “If you just get online and look at the kinds of language that people are using, it is threatening violence more often,” Cooper said.
NC lawmaker rejects Apex's invitation after 'inappropriate' emails, profane voicemails from town employee
WRAL News online
2025-03-12
“In a state like ours, where the General Assembly reigns supreme, it's like walking into the lion's den with a steak in your hand and tempting them to take your arm off,” said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University.
City officials attended meetings where NCDOT revealed I-26 flyover plan
The Biltmore Beacon online
2025-03-05
Chris Cooper, a political scientist at Western Carolina University, said the manner in which the flyover plan became public seems opaque. “At the very least, I’d say this is not a good look for the city,” Cooper said. “This has been perhaps the most prominent transportation issue — not just in the city of Asheville, but in western North Carolina — for the last decade, and for something that had been ruled out to be presented in the final plan doesn’t exactly scream transparency.”
NC Republicans move fast on DOGE, DEI, Helene, immigration. How 2025 session is playing out.
MSN online
2025-03-04
Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said while Democrats and Republicans may not present a unified front on Helene, “directionally, they’re in the same place” and want more funds from the federal government.
Congressman Chuck Edwards to hold town hall at A-B Tech on March 13
Mountain Xpress online
2025-03-04
Western Carolina University political scientist Chris Cooper said town hall events are important interactions between elected officials and their constituents. Cooper also said it’s noteworthy that Edwards, who lives in Hendersonville, will hold an event in Asheville, one of the few liberal areas in the district. “He’s going right into the belly of the beast,” Cooper said. “It’s meaningful. It signals that he is not trying to avoid a situation that might run counter to his partisan interests.”
Jackson County moves to make school board elections partisan
The Sylva Herald online
2025-02-26
“Jackson County is just the latest county to consider moving local elections from nonpartisan to partisan affairs,” said Chris Cooper, a political analyst and professor at Western Carolina University. “Over the last few years, the North Carolina General Assembly has done this with increasing frequency – often over the explicit protests from the local governments affected. The legislative vehicle for these changes is notable.”
NC Attorney General joins multi-state lawsuit to secure federal aid for hurricane recovery
ABC 13 News online
2025-02-14
"He's not saying right now we're in trouble — this money is stopped. What he's saying is, 'Pay attention, be careful,' it could stop in the future," said Western Carolina University political analyst Dr. Chris Cooper.
Which parts of NC got redder? Bluer? Explore voting trends in 4 maps and a chart
MSN online
2025-02-12
Zooming in, 380 precincts across 76 counties voted for Trump at the top of the ticket, but selected Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein right below him. Chris Cooper, a political scientist at Western Carolina University, said the reason so many people split their vote “may just be as simple as Mark Robinson.”
A decision by NC counties to accept dead voters’ ballots upsets some, unites others
WUNC: North Carolina Public Radio online
2025-02-12
It's one of the few election debates that may not fall along ideological or partisan lines, Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper said, so it’s unclear how the legislature would change the law if it chose to do so.
Upon further review: Commission finds that NC elections suffer from deficits and distrust
Carolina Public Press online
2025-02-10
“More communication and more information is ultimately going to build confidence in the process,” said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University.
Why redistricting reform fails. Why NC lawmakers keep trying. And trying.
Carolina Public Press online
2025-02-26
“Poll after poll after poll shows that if it were on the ballot, it would pass,” said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University. “People tend to like the idea of independent redistricting reform. Democrats like it a little bit more than Republicans, but both parties tend to support it.” Ten states have some form of nonpartisan redistricting commissions. But Cooper said they have something North Carolina doesn’t: The ability of citizens to directly present an idea to the people through a ballot initiative.
With Biden-appointed US Attorney gone, what is future of NC GOP spending probe?
McClatchy DC online
2025-02-06
“It’s a fair concern,” Chris Cooper, a Western Carolina University political science professor, said of the possibility that a Trump appointment could end an investigation. “Not that it will happen, but that it could and we should be watching.”
JD Vance Says He Doesn't Need To Prepare for Debate With Tim Walz
Newsweek online
2024-08-29
Professor Christopher Cooper, of Western Carolina University's Department of Political Science & Public Affairs, cited the Ohio Senator's struggling approval ratings. He told Newsweek: "The vice presidential debate could be a chance to arrest that decline. Of particular interest will be how Vance responds to criticism of his past statements on women. "As for Walz, most American voters are still getting to know him. His rollout has been received fairly positively—particularly compared with Vance. The question is whether he avoids the decline that befalls most candidates. Of particular interest will be how he responds to recent criticism of his military service."
NC Race for Governor Tight
NY Times online
2024-03-04
Chris Cooper, political scientist from Western Carolina University breaks down the NC governor's race.
Population-Growth Patterns Paint Grim Picture for Democrats
U.S. News & World Report online
2024-01-17
“Unfortunately for the Democrats, a lot has changed over the last half century,” said Christopher Cooper, a political scientist at Western Carolina University. “Today the partisan outcome of almost every state is virtually assured before we even know the candidates.”
Would term limits help fix our political system?
WFAE 90.7
2024-01-10
On the next Charlotte Talks, we break down the push for term limits in Congress, the Carolinas and across the country. We also examine what the founders thought about term limits and whether they would be a good idea for our political system. GUESTS: Chris Cooper, professor of political science and public affairs and director of the Public Policy Institute at Western Carolina University
What the latest polling numbers tell us about the North Carolina race for governor
The Herald Sun online
2023-12-28
Western Carolina University politics professor Chris Cooper said the ECU poll simply shows that people know who Robinson is more than they know who the other Republican gubernatorial candidates are in the primary.
How redistricting affects local candidates and voting districts
Mountain Xpress online
2023-12-13
“The goal in Buncombe is simply to carve out one Republican seat, and the same logic would apply to the County Commission,” says Chris Cooper, professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University. “So it’s a good thing for the Republican Party.” That bill also expanded the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners from five to seven seats, requiring all but the chair to be elected by districts. The chair is elected countywide. “Putting it in districts helps the Republicans and then putting it in districts drawn by Republicans helps Republicans more,” Cooper notes.
Local political analyst weighs in on State of the Union address
WLOS
2023-02-07
Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper says leadership on both sides of the aisle are encouraging a bipartisan atmosphere. He says President Biden will focus on the economy.
NC Gov. Roy Cooper, facing end of term, ups his profile as Biden surrogate
WRAL News online
2023-11-28
Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper says the governor, who can’t run again in 2024 due to term limits, has little to lose from a closer relationship. “He's told us that he's probably not done,” he told WRAL News. “I don't think he is going to go just surfing every weekend and kind of call it a day. I think this is somebody who has a political future, that there's a possibility of him being in a Biden administration.”
About that New York Times/Siena Poll
Old North State Politics online
2023-11-05
by Christopher Cooper Two days before the 2023 elections that will decide the next Governors of Mississippi and Kentucky, control of the Virginia and New Jersey legislatures, and the leaders of municipal governments in North Carolina and other states, the political world was gnashing teeth over....a poll about the 2024 Presidential election. The New York Times/Siena poll of six battleground states (excluding North Carolina, but I digress...) showed Donald Trump with a commanding lead over Joe Biden in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and within the margin of error in Wisconsin. It also showed Trump garnering support from almost a quarter of African American voters. After reading the results, it seemed as if every Democrat in America commenced to panicking and trashing the New York Times while everyone with a closet full of MAGA hats sang the praises of the New York Times and expressed faith in public opinion polls. Strange times we're living in. My takeaway: this poll reinforces that either Joe Biden or Donald Trump could win the 2024 Presidential election. That's it. Nothing more, and nothing less. Trump is not suddenly a favorite in 5 battleground states and he's certainly not up by 11 percentage points in Nevada. Nor is Biden favored in those states.
Thousands register for new 'No Labels' party. Could they be unaffiliated voters making a mistake?
North Carolina Public Radio online
2023-10-23
Political scientist Chris Cooper of Western Carolina University said it’s possible that some of those voters meant to register as unaffiliated instead. "We can have some informed speculation that some of these folks may not really understand the position they're putting themselves in — that the unaffiliated, which of course sounds very similar, would mean that they can vote in the Democratic or the Republican primary, whereas No Labels will essentially disenfranchise them from the primary coming up this winter," Cooper said.
Republicans flex muscles to maintain power in closely divided North Carolina and Wisconsin
Live Now Fox
2023-09-18
"The fact that these are both purple states is ironically what leads to the brass knuckles politics we see in Wisconsin and North Carolina," said Chris Cooper, a political scientist at Western Carolina University. In both states, he said, Republican politicians feel "they need to act because they could legitimately lose power."
NC county boards of elections offer free voter identification for November elections
The Daily Tar Heel online
2023-08-23
Chris Cooper, a professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University, said he is glad the requirement will be implemented during an odd election year before the 2024 nationwide election. “I think we will be able to tease out what the effects are much better this year, so we will know what to expect in 2024,” he said. Voters can submit an ID exception form while casting their ballot if they have a reasonable impediment to showing photo ID, a religious objection to being photographed or have been a victim of a natural disaster within the last 100 days, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Cooper said while research on voter ID requirements shows mixed results on turnout in election cycles, there is no question the law introduces a barrier.
The Unbelievably Bonkers Conspiracy Theorist Running For Governor Of North Carolina
Huff Post online
2023-08-21
Robinson has also modeled himself after Trump and appears to be trying to deflect all criticisms in the same way, said Chris Cooper, the Robert Lee Madison distinguished professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. “It’s for the same reason Trump is under four indictments and is the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for the presidency,” Cooper said. “He’s the favorite because he’s the favorite. … The inflammatory rhetoric is already baked into people’s opinions of him. We already knew he was engaged in these types of behaviors. So every news story about Robinson doesn’t really provide the voter with new information. So he can continue to weather the storm.” Robinson is also charismatic, Cooper said, which has helped him to build a national profile and raise a lot of money. His race is a factor, too, he said.
Gov. Cooper for VP? Experts say no, but another office might be in sight
WNCT
2023-05-25
“The Roy Cooper for VP Campaign is Fully Underway.” Carolina Partnership for Reform is making that argument, saying the Governor’s road trip to speak against new abortion legislation as well as his State of Emergency for education proves it. “I buy that he is certainly trying to play the rhetorical game that he’s using, the only power levers he has. But no, I don’t buy it for one second that he’s running for vice president,” said Chris Cooper, political science professor at Western Carolina University, who is of no relation to Roy Cooper.
North Carolina redistricting ruling could be big win for Republicans in Congress
WFIN 95.5 online
2023-05-24
“It’s a signal to the Republican supermajority that within some boundaries they can draw the maps they want,” said Chris Cooper, a Western Carolina University political science professor. “The Republicans don’t have a blank check, but there’s a lot in the bank account.”
With new abortion restrictions set to take effect in NC, many wonder -- what's next?
WLOS online
2023-05-17
“This is exactly what the Democratic party feared,” says Chris Cooper, director of public policy at Western Carolina University. “This Republican majority can essentially do what they want to do. They have the votes.”
As NC abortion bill advances, eyes shift to 2024 governor's race
WRAL News online
2023-05-04
“I don’t remember the last time Mark Robinson has refused to comment on anything, from the weather to public policy,” said Chris Cooper, a Western Carolina University professor who specializes in North Carolina politics. “So I think it is notable that he didn’t weigh in on the issue.”
Political expert weighs in on Biden campaign as age, polling numbers come into question
WLOS online
2023-04-25
“I think a lot of folks, at least according to polls, would like to see somebody else," Cooper says. "I think the problem is that somebody else is not on the ballot, right? We got to have another candidate that people are willing to coalesce around. For the Democratic party, that's clearly not there. The appetite is not there for anyone other than Joe Biden. On the Republican ticket, we're just going to have to see. I think Donald Trump is certainly a front runner if not the frontrunner. We'll see if we do end up with somebody else like a DeSantis or a Haley, or a Tim Scott or some sort of a different name."
Theresa Opeka: What Cotham’s switch to the GOP means for NC Democrats
Salisbury Post online
2023-04-11
“The question of course remains will her voting patterns change along with her party affiliation?” said Chris Cooper, professor of political science & public affairs at Western Carolina University, in a phone interview with Carolina Journal on Wednesday. “Abortion is an obvious example,” he said. “She’s been at the forefront of it because she made it clear that she was Pro-Choice in the past. Will she agree for some restrictions? Will she follow along with the Republican Party more often? I think these are the questions we all want to know the answer to.” Regarding Gov. Cooper’s veto power, Cooper says “It has no teeth,” making him a lame duck in most instances. Cooper said there’s also the question of her political future and if a Republican primary electorate will want to support a candidate who has been so vocally Pro-Choice and vocal on other issues that run counter to the mainstream of the Republican Party.
Gov. Cooper signs long-awaited Medicaid expansion bill into law
WUNC 91.5 online
2023-03-27
But even as North Carolina Republicans changed their minds on expansion, 10 other GOP-dominated states continue to be holdouts. Most are in the Southeast, including Florida and Georgia. Political scientist Chris Cooper of Western Carolina University says that could soon change. “I think it makes sense that some of our neighboring states might look to North Carolina and see how you can change your mind, and you can still keep your electoral fortunes,” Cooper said. “We're also seeing states like South Dakota — other Republican states, not in our region — at least put this to a vote of the people and also expand, so this is the rare kind of issue that’s becoming less partisan over time.”
The Lead CNN
CNN online
2023-03-15
North Carolina's Republican-controlled Supreme Court will rehear two election-related cases that were decided on when Democrats held majority on the court. CNN's @DianneG reports.
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Research Focus (3)
State & Local Politics
Most of Cooper's scholarship is focused on the state and local levels. Some of this work is comparative across multiple states and localities, and some of it is focused specifically on the case of North Carolina. Some recent work in this area has examined misinformation related to state legislative salaries, the consequences of gubernatorial appointments of US Senators, and the adoption of Chief Diversity Officers in Local governments.
Southern Politics
As recent headlines over voting rights, confederate symbols, and the political relevance of southern identity can attest, southern politics remains distinct from politics in the rest of the country. Cooper's recent and current work in this area focuses on the politics of southern memory, the continued importance of southern identity, and the relevance of the southern accents in campaigns and elections.
Elections and Behavior
Cooper is interested in the ways in which citizens’ ideas and attitudes are translated into government action (or inaction). Some of his work in this area has examined the role of personality in shaping political attitudes and behaviors. Cooper is currently working on projects related to the effects of redistricting on representation, various aspects of election administration, and public opinion on voting access. Cooper is also working on a book manuscript examining the evolution of NC’s 11th congressional district.
Articles (5)
Heritage Versus Hate: Assessing Opinions in the Debate over Confederate Monuments and Memorials
Social Science Quarterly2021 This study evaluates factors that might explain southerners’ opinions toward Confederate monuments.
Innumeracy and State Legislative Salaries
Public Opinion Quarterly2021 What do citizens know about state legislative salaries and how does correct information change opinions of legislators and what citizens believe to be their proper levels of compensation? Through an original experiment with more than 2,000 registered voters from four heterogeneous states, this paper provides evidence that the degree of innumeracy regarding state legislative salaries exceeds innumeracy regarding many other political facts.
Switching sides but still fighting the Civil War in southern politics
Politics, Groups, and Identities2020 It is well-established that the realignment of the past half-century sorted southern whites into the Grand Old Party (GOP) while southern blacks have remained stalwart Democrats. Surprisingly, however, there has been little systematic investigation of the relationship between party identification and opinions toward the South’s Confederate legacy.
North Carolina’s close senate race is a puzzle in a purple state
USApp–American Politics and Policy Blog2020 Many Americans have already begun voting in the 2020 election, not just for president, but for down-ballot races, such as for the US Senate. Chris Cooper looks at the race for North Carolina’s US Senate seat, writing that despite an early durable lead for Democratic challenger, Cal Cunningham, accusations of an extra-marital affair have given incumbent Republican Senator, Thom Tillis, an opportunity to disrupt his opponent’s lead.
Analysis and comparison of lateral head impacts using various golf discs and a Hybrid III head form
Sports Biomechanics2018 The potential for head injuries from discs specifically designed for the sport of disc golf has increased as more disc golf courses are constructed in municipal parks where there is an inherent risk to park users of being struck by a golf disc. This study investigated the potential for head injury of various golf discs used in the sport of disc golf at 18 m/s (40 mph) and 27 m/s (60 mph) using a Hybrid III head form.
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