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

Christopher A. Cooper's research is on N.C. politics, southern politics, political behavior and behavioral public administration.

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Spotlight

1 min

One Day Away - WCU's Chris Cooper Breaks Down What's Left on the Campaign Trail

It's been a long road and we're one day away from what might be the closest, most contended and most-talked about election in American history. But it's not over yet and Western Carolina's political expert Chris Cooper is here to share a few key points about the race. Christopher A. Cooper is the Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor and director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University. He is also an expert in the areas of political behavior and behavioral public administration. Christopher is available to speak with media simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

Christopher A. Cooper

1 min

Changes ahead as Kamala Harris tops the ticket?

A major shake-up this week saw President Joe Biden end his candidacy and Kamala Harris has all but locked down the DNC nomination. With mere months before the election how will each campaign need to adjust? And it's why we asked WCU's Chris Cooper what he thinks will happen now. Christopher A. Cooper is the Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor and director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University. He is also an expert in the areas of political behavior and behavioral public administration. Christopher is available to speak with media simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

Christopher A. Cooper

1 min

Covering the Great Debate Thursday? Our political expert can help you with every angle of your coverage

For political junkies, Thursday is like game seven of the World Series. Usually political debates are a requisite part of the usual campaign cycle ... but this time it is different.  There's a lot on the line and with a bitter history between Joe Biden and Donald Trump 0 it is going to be must-watch TV for most of America. And if you're a journalist covering the lead up, debate and the day after we're here to help. Check out these ExpertSpots where Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science & Public Affairs and Director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at WCU, Chris Cooper weighs in with his thoughts on several topics. And if you're looking to connect with Chris simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

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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 research (University Scholar, 2011) and teaching (Board of Governors Teaching Award, 2013) and was named the 2013 North Carolina Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Cooper’s published academic research features more than 50 refereed journal articles and book chapters on N.C. politics, state politics, southern politics, political behavior and behavioral public administration. He is also co-author of "The Resilience of Southern Identity: Why the South Still Matters in the Minds of its People" (University of North Carolina Press) and co-editor of "The New Politics of North Carolina" (published by the University of North Carolina Press).

Cooper is a frequent source for news stories about North Carolina, as well as national politics and he has been quoted hundreds of times in a variety of media including The New York Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, Boston Herald, Al Jazeera, Charlotte Observer, Asheville-Citizen Times, The Hill, National Journal, Raleigh News and Observer, North Carolina Insider, National Public Radio (All Things Considered and Morning Edition), USA Today, CNN, FOX News, WUNC, Blue Ridge Public Radio, WFAE (Charlotte) ABC News and ESPN.com.

Industry Expertise

Research
Political Organization
Education/Learning
Writing and Editing
Public Policy

Areas of Expertise

Election Administration
Public Administration
Southern Politics
American Politics
Parties, Campaigns and Elections
State and Local Government
Research Methods

Accomplishments

University Scholar

2011 - Western Carolina University

North Carolina Professor of the Year

2013 - Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Board of Governors Teaching Award

2013 - Western Carolina University

Education

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Ph.D.

University of Tennessee Knoxville

M.A.

Winthrop University

B.A.

Languages

  • English

Media Appearances

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.

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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.”

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'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.”

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Availability

  • Keynote
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  • Panelist
  • Author Appearance

Research Focus

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

Heritage Versus Hate: Assessing Opinions in the Debate over Confederate Monuments and Memorials

Social Science Quarterly

2021

This study evaluates factors that might explain southerners’ opinions toward Confederate monuments.

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Innumeracy and State Legislative Salaries

Public Opinion Quarterly

2021

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.

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Switching sides but still fighting the Civil War in southern politics

Politics, Groups, and Identities

2020

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.

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