Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declined to respond when asked by a Townhall reporter why he supports allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports.
The brief exchange occurred as Cooper was getting into a vehicle, and the former governor offered no reply before closing the door.
As he entered his car, a follow-up question was posed: “Governor Cooper, are there more than two genders?” Again, Cooper remained silent.
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Cooper, who served as governor of North Carolina from 2017 until January 2025, has long aligned with Democratic positions on issues involving gender identity, transgender medical procedures, and the inclusion of biological males in female-only sports.
In 2023, Cooper vetoed legislation passed by North Carolina’s Republican-controlled General Assembly that sought to ban transgender procedures for minors, prevent biological males from participating in girls’ sports, and restrict LGBTQ-related curriculum in public classrooms.
Despite his veto, Republican lawmakers in both the state House and Senate voted to override Cooper’s objections, and the bills became law.
The recent exchange with Townhall comes amid continued scrutiny over Cooper’s support of policies related to gender identity and sports.
NEW: Former Governor of North Carolina Roy Cooper turns tail and RUNS when asked about his support for shredding the integrity of women’s sports:
“Why do you support men being able to play women’s sports?!”
He can’t get into his Uber fast enough! pic.twitter.com/MTgFqajorX
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 9, 2025
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The incident has also revived attention on Cooper’s political future.
Though he was reportedly under consideration as a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign, Cooper was ultimately not selected.
Sources have since indicated that Cooper may be preparing for a Senate run in 2026.
Cooper’s silence when asked about gender and sports reflects a broader trend among several Democratic leaders who have faced public questioning over similar issues.
Polling consistently shows that a majority of voters across party lines, including many independents and Democrats, oppose allowing biological males to compete in female athletic competitions.
Republican lawmakers in multiple states have introduced and passed legislation aimed at protecting women’s sports by limiting participation to biological females.
Proponents argue the laws are necessary to maintain fairness and safety in athletic competition, particularly in school-based sports programs.
Katie Pavlich, a Townhall contributor and guest on Fox News’ “The Five,” addressed the topic during a segment on Friday.
Pavlich reiterated concerns raised by many parents and athletes, stating that the inclusion of biological males in female sports undermines the progress and opportunities afforded to women under Title IX protections.
.@KatiePavlich is the EPITOME of common sense
“The lie is ‘it’s compassionate or empathetic’ to allow men to compete in women sports, to allow them into a locker room, to allow them into battered women’s shelters, to allow them to be changing in front of young girls…They… pic.twitter.com/SpdRo3zpNO
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 9, 2025
Cooper’s position on the issue has been consistent throughout his political career.
During his final term as governor, he opposed state-level measures to restrict transgender medical procedures for minors and supported inclusive policies championed by national Democratic leadership.
With the 2026 election cycle approaching, Cooper’s public record on gender-related legislation, as well as his handling of questions like the ones posed by Townhall, is likely to draw renewed attention.
Should he choose to enter the race for U.S. Senate, issues related to women’s sports and transgender policy could become a focal point in what is expected to be a closely watched contest in North Carolina.
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