Months before the 2026 U.S Senate election, the General Assembly created a committee to investigate the 2021 court order filed by NAACP and other civil rights groups seeking to temporarily release some incarcerated people to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Republicans of the NC Senate claim that Gov. Rob Cooper and Josh Stein were responsible for filing the court order, but Cooper says that isn’t the case.
Cooper believes the investigation is another attempt by Republicans to create controversy and distraction. He and his spokesperson, Jordan Monaghan, said the committee’s inquiries are “blatant lies.” Monaghan insists Cooper fought against the releases in court.
The 10 Republicans and four Democrats of the committee will analyze the 2021 court order to see if it was properly put in place. Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) and Rep. Brendon Jones (R-Columbus) will represent the Joint Legislative on Government Operations Subcommittee on Prisons.
In 2021, Civil rights organizations, including NAACP filed a suit against Gov. Cooper and state officials due to dangerous conditions in prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil rights organizations were able to release roughly 3,500 people back into society for six months. People were granted a 180-day stay after requesting a case. Civil rights organizations believed the releases could reduce the COVID-19 cases in prisons. Once granted, the Department of Public Safety allowed non-violent offenders to stay on home or work leave, lessened sentences, and the prison program Extended limits of Confinement (ELC).
NC House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) talked about the early release program, stating that he thought it was “a serious miscarriage of justice and endangering public safety.” The Republicans of the Senate have also expressed frustration with the court order. Hall added, “This committee will investigate exactly how these early release decisions were made, who was responsible, and whether proper safeguards were followed.”
The committee’s investigation is another one of many attacks from Republican Senator Candidate Michael Watley. Watley has blamed Cooper for crime across the state. Others, like Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) accused Gov. Cooper of withholding details about the 3,500 releases from the public. “He made every effort to hide what he did, and Republicans in the General Assembly are going to hold him and Gov. Stein accountable for releasing violent, repeat offenders and endangering our citizens.” Berger said.
Despite the accusations, a Catawaba-YouGov survey found that 47 percent of voters are likely to vote for Cooper compared to 31 percent for Watley. And, as gas prices and the cost of living have continued to rise, Republican approval has dropped. Watley’s ties with 1st Congressional District Chair Harvey West, a convicted sex offender, has resulted in conservative backlash, as well.
David McLennan, a professor of political science at Meredith College, states that he had never heard of the General Assembly investigating a Senate candidate months before the midterm election. McLennan explained, “The initial response I had was this was an attempt to paint Cooper in a very poor light in terms of crime.”
As the election session approaches, McLennan believes there will be more attempts by politicians to sway the public’s vote, indicating Republicans will likely attempt to paint a compelling story. “Whether or not voters of North Carolina will see through it,” he said. “I don’t know.”