Coronavirus pauses Gov. Cooper’s fundraisers, but the candidates still want your money
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Gov. Roy Cooper has suspended in-person campaigning for his re-election as he leads the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
That hasn’t kept his campaign from sending requests for campaign contributions via email. Both the Democratic governor and his challenger, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, have continued their appeals for money this week.
Cooper’s campaign announced Thursday that it is “pulling down all in-person campaign events,” including fundraisers, for the next 30 days. However, his campaign will have virtual events and “online engagement of voters” during that period, it said in a news release.
“This campaign is heeding the advice of Governor Cooper and top health experts to make sure we do what we can to protect the health and safety of North Carolinians,” campaign manager Trey Nix said in an emailed statement.
Cooper and Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen called for cancellation or postponement of all gatherings in North Carolina of more than 100 people, which includes church services, sporting events and arts and entertainment performances. Schools mostly haven’t been closed so far, but assemblies are included in the guidance. Cooper said it is guidance at this point but he has the power to make it mandatory.
Forest’s campaign is also making some changes.
“In light of the public health risk posed by COVID-19, we have canceled some events, postponed others, and we will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis,” Forest’s campaign spokesperson Andrew Dunn told The News & Observer Thursday evening via text.
As of Thursday evening, Forest’s campaign Facebook page lists several upcoming fundraising events.
A fundraising email Wednesday evening from Forest’s campaign asked supporters to contribute as “an investment in the future of our country.”
A fundraising email from the Cooper campaign Thursday said the campaign needs to raise $20,000 by Sunday at midnight to show the Republican Governors Association, which supports Forest, “the strength of this grassroots movement.” An update later in the day said the campaign was still $14,723 short of that goal.
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