Watch Cooper Campaign’s New TV Ad “Guys Like Him”
RALEIGH – Today, Cooper for North Carolina released a new TV ad, “Guys Like Him,” on Michael Whatley’s career as a lobbyist for Big Oil and utility companies, including Duke Energy, where he helped them raise prices and rates leading to profits for him while working families paid more on their energy bills and at the gas pump.
“DC insider Michael Whatley has spent his career making sure Big Oil and utility companies, including Duke Energy, can pad their profits at the expense of working families,” said Cooper for North Carolina campaign manager Jeff Allen. “On top of that, Whatley still owns their stocks – so when North Carolinians pay more, he gets rich. Roy Cooper repeatedly fought back against Duke’s rate hikes and he’s ready to go to Washington and take on the big corporations making life more expensive for the rest of us.”
The ad will run on broadcast television, streaming and digital platforms statewide as part of a seven-figure buy.
Read a transcript of “Guys Like Him” below.
Narrator: Duke Energy raises your rates almost every single year. But they couldn’t do it without guys like him: Michael Whatley.
He spent his career lobbying for big utility companies, including Duke Energy, making it easier for them to raise your rates.
And Whatley lobbied for Big Oil companies too, getting them get billions in tax breaks while you pay more at the pump.
Michael Whatley: working for them, costing you.
Roy Cooper: I’m Roy Cooper and I approve this message.
Whatley spent his career as a Big Oil and utility company lobbyist, helping companies raise utility bills on hardworking families. Whatley is running for Senate to continue to enrich himself, while the middle class pays more:
- Whatley continuously pushed for the Iran war with no exit plan, which spiked his Big Oil stocks by up to $219,660 at the expense of North Carolina families who paid hundreds more at the pump.
- As Duke Energy threatens further rate hikes on North Carolina families, Whatley – who has over $400,000 invested in Duke Energy and would see “boost[ed] profits” – has refused to take a stance.
- Whatley pushed for policies that would increase drug prices for North Carolina seniors while spiking up to $265,000 in Big Pharma stock that he holds.
###