Ripple Fiber Breaks Ground in Illinois, Shares Plans for Midwest Network Expansion
'We're thrilled to have Ripple Fiber join our business community here in Elk Grove Village. Reliable, high-speed internet is a game-changer for local businesses and residents, and Ripple Fiber's investment helps move our region forward."
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'Ripple Fiber is thrilled to announce Illinois as the next addition to our rapidly growing footprint, as we look to Cook County, specifically Elk Grove Village, as our first live market,' said Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Ripple Fiber. 'We've appreciated the support received from local stakeholders during these beginning stages and look forward to a collaborative partnership that will help us bring next-level connectivity to their communities."
According to BroadbandNow, less than 33 percent of Illinois residents have access to fiber optic internet. While construction in neighboring DuPage County is expected to begin in the coming months, Ripple Fiber will continue to explore expansion opportunities in the surrounding areas to increase digital access and provide more internet options for residents. With the start of the construction phase, the provider plans to open a local office and employ locally within the community to ensure an enhanced customer experience and demonstrate Ripple Fiber's commitment to establishing a strong local presence in each market.
'We're thrilled to have Ripple Fiber join our business community here in Elk Grove Village. Reliable, high-speed internet is a game-changer for local businesses and residents, and Ripple Fiber's investment helps move our region forward. We're excited to see the impact they'll make,' added Shirlanne Lemm, President and CEO of GOA Regional Business Association and Elk Grove Chamber.
As the construction phase begins, residents are encouraged to pre-order service online or by phone. With Ripple Fiber's 10-gig, 100 percent fiber optic infrastructure, residents will have access to a strong, dependable network that will power communities for decades to come. Whether using Wi-Fi for remote work, online learning, gaming, or video streaming, customers can expect exceptional bandwidth and symmetrical upload and download speeds. Known for transparent pricing without contracts or hidden fees, the provider offers multiple package options, with three core products leading the way—500 Mbps, 1 Gig, and 2 Gig.
While many have already begun receiving direct updates from Ripple Fiber, homeowners within the current build area can expect to see mailed letters and door hangers sharing more information about what to expect during the construction process. Residents in Cook and DuPage Counties who would like to learn more about Ripple Fiber's offerings can visit ripplefiber.com and follow along on social media (@ripple.fiber) for updates.
ABOUT RIPPLE FIBER
Founded in 2021, Ripple Fiber provides thousands of homes with the brightest and fastest fiber internet solutions, powered by a 10-gig, 100 percent fiber optic network. With its patented technology driving rapid expansion across 8 states, Ripple Fiber is redefining connectivity for its communities while remaining committed to promoting digital empowerment. Ripple Fiber believes the biggest wave starts as a ripple. For more information, please visit ripplefiber.com.
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36 minutes ago
North Carolina Senate race sets up as a fight over who would be a champion for the middle class
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Democrats still in the dumps over last year's elections have found cause for optimism in North Carolina, where former Gov. Roy Cooper jumped into the race for that state's newly open seat with a vow to address voters' persistent concerns about the challenges of making ends meet. Even Republicans quietly note that Cooper's candidacy makes their job of holding the seat more difficult and expensive. Cooper had raised $2.6 million for his campaign between his Monday launch and Tuesday, and more than $900,000 toward allied groups. Republicans, meanwhile, are hardly ceding the economic populist ground. In announcing his candidacy for the Senate on Thursday, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley credited President Donald Trump with fulfilling campaign promises to working Americans and painted Cooper as a puppet of the left. Still, Cooper's opening message that he hears the worries of working families has given Democrats in North Carolina and beyond a sense that they can reclaim their place as the party that champions the middle class. They think it's a message that could help them pick up a Senate seat, and possibly more, in next year's midterm elections, which in recent years have typically favored the party out of power. 'I'm Roy Cooper. And I know that today, for too many Americans, the middle class feels like a distant dream,' the former governor said in a video announcing his candidacy. 'Meanwhile, the biggest corporations and the richest Americans have grabbed unimaginable wealth at your expense. It's time for that to change.' Cooper's plainspoken appeal may represent just the latest effort by Democrats to find their way back to power, but it has some thinking they've finally found their footing after last year's resounding losses. 'I think it would do us all a lot of good to take a close look at his example,' said Larry Grisolano, a Chicago-based Democratic media strategist and former adviser to President Barack Obama. Whatley, a former North Carolina GOP chairman and close Trump ally, used his Thursday announcement that he was entering the race to hail the president as the true champion of the middle class. He said Trump had already fulfilled promises to end taxes on tips and overtime and said Cooper was out of step with North Carolinians. 'Six months in, it's pretty clear to see, America is back,' Whatley said. 'A healthy, robust economy, safe kids and communities and a strong America. These are the North Carolina values that I will champion if elected.' Still, the decision by Cooper, who held statewide office for 24 years and has never lost an election, makes North Carolina a potential bright spot in a midterm election cycle when Democrats must net four seats to retake the majority — and when most of the 2026 Senate contests are in states Trump won comfortably last November. State Rep. Cynthia Ball threw up a hand in excitement when asked Monday at the North Carolina Legislative Building about Cooper's announcement. 'Everyone I've spoken to was really hoping that he was going to run,' said the Raleigh Democrat. Democratic legislators hope having Cooper's name at the top of the ballot will encourage higher turnout and help them in downballot races. While Republicans have controlled both General Assembly chambers since 2011, Democrats managed last fall to end the GOP's veto-proof majority, if only by a single seat. Republican strategists familiar with the national Senate landscape have said privately that Cooper poses a formidable threat. The Senate Leadership Fund, a GOP super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, wasted no time in challenging Cooper's portrayal of a common-sense advocate for working people. 'Roy Cooper masquerades as a moderate,' the narrator in the 30-second spot says. 'But he's just another radical, D.C. liberal in disguise.' Cooper, a former state legislator who served four terms as attorney general before he became governor, has never held an office in Washington. Still, Whatley was quick to link Cooper to national progressive figures such as New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Whatley accused Cooper of failing to address illegal immigration and of supporting liberal gender ideology. He echoed the themes raised in the Senate Leadership Fund ad, which noted Cooper's vetoes in the Republican-led legislature of measures popular with conservatives, such as banning gender-affirming health care for minors and requiring county sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration officials. 'Roy Cooper may pretend to be different than the radical extremists,' Whatley said. 'But he is all-in on their agenda.' Cooper first won the governorship in 2016, while Trump was carrying the state in his first White House bid. Four years later, they both carried the state again. Cooper, who grew up in a small town 60 miles (96.6 kilometers) east of Raleigh, has long declined requests that he seek federal office. He 'understands rural North Carolina,' veteran North Carolina strategist Thomas Mills said. 'And while he's not going to win it, he knows how to talk to those folks.' As with most Democrats, Cooper's winning coalition includes the state's largest cities and suburbs. But he has long made enough inroads in other areas to win. 'He actually listens to what voters are trying to tell us, instead of us trying to explain to them how they should think and feel,' said state Sen. Michael Garrett, a Greensboro Democrat. In his video announcement, Cooper tried to turn the populist appeal Trump made to voters on checkbook issues against the party in power, casting himself as the Washington outsider. Senior Cooper strategist Morgan Jackson said the message represents a shift and will take work to drive home with voters. 'Part of the challenge Democrats had in 2024 is we were not addressing directly the issues people were concerned about today,' Jackson said. 'We have to acknowledge what people are going through right now and what they are feeling, that he hears you and understands what you feel.' Pat Dennis, president of American Bridge 21st Century, a group that conducts research for an initiative called the Working Class Project, said Cooper struck a tone that other Democrats should try to match. 'His focus on affordability and his outsider status really hits a lot of the notes these folks are interested in,' Dennis said. 'I do think it's a model, especially his focus on affordability.' 'We can attack Republicans all day long, but unless we have candidates who can really embody that message, we're not going to be able to take back power.'
Business Wire
39 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Median Technologies Has Completed a Capital Increase of € 23.9 Million
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Not to be published, distributed or disseminated, directly or indirectly, in the United States of America, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Japan Median Technologies (FR0011049824, ALMDT, PEA-PME scheme eligible, 'Median' or the 'Company'), manufacturer of eyonis®, a suite of artificial intelligence (AI) powered Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) for early cancer diagnosis, and a leading provider of AI-based image analyses and central imaging services for oncology drug developers, today announces the success of its capital increase targeting institutional and retail investors through a priority subscription period, a public offering, and a private placement with qualified investors (together, the 'Offering'). The Offering was exclusively open to investors, whether retail or institutional, subscribing for a minimum amount of €100,000 per investor. As a result, subscription requests for a total amount below €100,000 per investor were not allocated. The Offering, launched on July 23, 2025, amounted to a total gross proceed of 23.9 million euros, including the issuance premium. The Company exercised the extension clause granted by the Board of Directors as part of the transaction for an amount of 1.9 million Euros. "I would like to thank all our investors—both institutional and individual—for their support and trust during this capital increase. We are particularly proud to have expanded and strengthened our shareholder base with the participation of renowned Swedish, US, French, German and UK investors (Lungstrom Family Office, Lion Point Life Science Partners, Celestial Successor Fund, Matignon Finance, Invus, Herald Investment Trust, et Tragara Holdings). We also welcome the continued commitment of representatives of the Brag family and friends, who have renewed their trust in the future of the Company. 'This equity financing adds to the up to €37.5 million EIB financing line signed in July 2025 and allows us to meet the contractual conditions to draw down the first €19 million tranche. The Company's cash runway is now extended through the fourth quarter of 2026, and potentially way beyond with the full exercise of the warrants, which can generate additional equity of €51.7 million', said Fredrik Brag, CEO and Founder of Median Technologies. 'This transaction provides us with the solid financial resources needed for the commercial launch of our Software as a Medical Device eyonis® LCS in the United States, while also strengthening our position to finalize negotiations with commercial partners for the distribution of our eyonis® LCS product. Furthermore, the funds raised will also enable us to continue and accelerate our technological and clinical development efforts for the next medical imaging software devices in our eyonis® suite—namely, eyonis® IPN for the incidental detection of lung cancer, and eyonis® HCC for the early diagnosis of primary liver cancer', Brag added. Main terms of the Offering The Offering, carried out with the cancellation of shareholders' preferential subscription rights and including a five-trading-day subscription period (on both irreducible and reducible bases), amounted to total gross proceeds of 23.9 million euros, including the issuance premium. In accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, the Offering was addressed to investors, whether retail or institutional, who will subscribe to it for a total consideration of at least €100,000 per investor. In total, the Offering resulted in the issuance of 14,424,541 new ordinary shares of the Company (the 'New Shares'), each accompanied by a warrant (the 'Warrants' and, together with the New Shares to which they are attached, the 'ABSA'). The new ABSA were issued at a price of €1.66 per ABSA, including the issuance premium, representing approximately 72.3% of the Company's existing share capital on a non-diluted basis. This price reflects a nominal discount of 17.9% compared to the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of the Company's shares over the twenty trading days preceding and through the date of July 18, 2025. The Offering was allocated as follows: On an irreducible and reducible basis during the priority subscription period to existing shareholders: 9,201,890 new ABSA, representing 64% of the capital increase, As part of the public offering in France: 241,224 new ABSA, representing 2% of the capital increase, As part of the Global placement targeting qualified investors (the 'Global Placement'), which included (a) a private placement to a limited number of accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501(a) of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the 'Securities Act')) and/or qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act), and (b) an international offering outside the United States in 'offshore transactions' pursuant to Regulation S of the Securities Act ('Regulation S'), (A) within the European Union (including France), to qualified investors as defined in Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 14, 2017, as amended, and (B) outside the European Union (excluding South Africa, Japan, Australia, and Canada) in accordance with applicable laws in each relevant jurisdiction: 4,981,427 new ABSA, representing 35% of the capital increase. Settlement and delivery of the ABSA and their admission to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market is expected to take place on August 5, 2025. The New Shares will be of the same class and fully fungible with the Company's existing ordinary shares, will carry all rights attached to existing shares, and will be admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Paris under the same ISIN code: FR0011049824 - ALMDT. Two warrants attached to the new shares entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for three new ordinary shares of the Company at a total exercise price of €7.17, i.e., an exercise price of €2.39 per new ordinary share. The theoretical value of each warrant is €0.90 per new ordinary share, based on the Black-Scholes model and assuming a volatility of 76%. The warrants will be detached from the new shares immediately upon issuance and will be admitted to trading on Euronext Growth under ISIN code FR0014011D04. The full exercise of the 14,424,541 warrants subscribed as part of the Offering would represent additional gross proceeds of 51.7 million euros. The warrants will expire 30 months after their issuance date, i.e., on 5 February 2028. The Offering did not and will not require the preparation of a prospectus subject to approval by the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers), in accordance with Article 1.4.d) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated June 14, 2017, as amended. Intended use of the transaction's net proceeds Approximatively one-third of the net proceeds will be used to support eyonis® Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) progress towards major milestones consisting of commercial launch and sales development in the U.S, Approximatively one-third of the net proceeds will be used to accelerate the expansion of Median's proprietary suite of Software as a Medical Device, eyonis®, for image-based early cancer diagnosis, notably the scientific and clinical development of Software as a Medical Devices for incidental findings of pulmonary nodules (eyonis® IPN) and liver cancer early diagnosis (eyonis® HCC), and Approximately one-third of the net proceeds will be used to finance the Company's general corporate needs and to support its cash position through the fourth quarter of 2026. Furthermore, successful settlement and delivery of the Offering is expected to allow the Company to fulfill its contractual obligations with the European Investment Bank (EIB), enabling the drawing down of the €19 million first tranche of the new financing facility without delay. The signature of the new EIB financing facility of a total amount of €37.5 million had been announced on July 11, 2025. Impact of the Offering on the Company's shareholding structure Financial intermediary TP ICAP Midcap acted as global coordinator and bookrunner for the Offering. Risk factors The principal risk factors related to the Offering are spelled out below: Shareholders who did not subscribe to the Offering will have their percentage interest in the Company's equity diluted as a result of the issuance of the New Shares, and may experience further dilution upon the potential exercise of the Warrants as well as, more generally, through any future capital increases that may be required to support the Company's financing needs. The market price of the Company's shares could fluctuate and fall below the subscription price of the ABSAs and/or not reach a sufficient level to make the exercise of the BSAs attractive. The volatility and the liquidity of the Company's shares could fluctuate significantly. Those other risk factors relating to the Company and its activities contained in Note 6, Section ' P. Specific Risk Factors' to the Company's Annual Financial Report, available on the Company's website in the 'Investors' section. Forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts. They include projections and estimates, as well as the assumptions on which these are based, statements concerning projects, objectives, intentions, and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, or future performance. These forward-looking statements can often be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates" or "plans" and any other similar expressions. Although Median's management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Median Technologies, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Median Technologies as of the date of the press release. Median Technologies does not undertake to update any forward-looking information or statements, subject to applicable regulations, in particular Articles 223-1 et seq. of the General Regulation of the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers. About Median Technologies: Pioneering innovative software as a medical device and imaging services, Median Technologies harnesses cutting-edge AI to enhance the accuracy of early cancer diagnoses and treatments. Median's offerings include iCRO, which provides medical image analysis and management in oncology trials, and eyonis®, an AI/ML tech-based suite of software as a medical device (SaMD). Median empowers biopharmaceutical entities and clinicians to advance patient care and expedite the development of novel therapies. The French-based company, with a presence in the U.S. and China, trades on the Euronext Growth market (ISIN: FR0011049824, ticker: ALMDT). Median is also eligible for the French SME equity savings plan scheme (PEA-PME). For more information, visit Disclaimer This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the ' Prospectus Regulation '). The offer of Median Technologies shares described above does not constitute a public offering requiring the publication of a prospectus to be approved by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or a document including the information provided for in Annex IX of the Prospectus Regulation. Median Technologies draws the public's attention to Note 6, section 'P. Specific Risk Factors' of its 2024 Annual Financial Report, published on April 29, 2025, and available free of charge on its website at This press release does not constitute and shall not be construed as an offer to the public, a solicitation, or a sale in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction. The offer of Median Technologies shares described above has been made in the context of (i) a share capital increase without preferential subscription rights through a public offering and with a priority subscription right, on a irreducible and reducible basis, to the benefit of shareholders in France, and (ii) a global placement for institutional investors in France and outside of France, but excluding, in particular, United States, Canada, Japan, South Africa and Australia. The Offering was addressed exclusively to investors subscribing for at least €100,000 per investor. With respect to Member States of the European Economic Area, no action has been taken or will be taken to permit a public offering of the securities referred to in this press release requiring the publication of a prospectus or a document including the information provided for in Annex IX of the Prospectus Regulation in any such Member State. Therefore, such securities may not be and shall not be offered in any Member State other than in accordance with the exemptions of Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, otherwise, in cases not requiring the publication of a prospectus under Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or an information document pursuant to Articles 1(4) and 1(5) of the Prospectus Regulation and/or the applicable regulations in such Member State This press release and the information it contains are being distributed to and are only intended for persons who are (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom who are qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the ' Order '), (ii) high net worth entities and other such persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (' high net worth companies ', 'unincorporated associations', etc.) or (iii) other persons to whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as ' Relevant Persons '). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities to which this press release relates will only be engaged with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents. This press release may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This press release and the information contained therein does not constitute an offer of securities for sale, nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase, Median Technologies' securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'U.S. Securities Act'). The securities of Median Technologies have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and Median Technologies does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States. The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Any person who comes into possession of this press release must inform him or herself of and comply with any such restrictions. Any decision to subscribe for or purchase the shares or other securities of Median Technologies must be made solely based on information publicly available about Median Technologies. Such information is not the responsibility of TP ICAP Midcap and has not been independently verified by TP ICAP Midcap.
an hour ago
North Carolina Senate race sets up as a fight over middle class
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Democrats still in the dumps over last year's elections have found cause for optimism in North Carolina, where former Gov. Roy Cooper jumped into the race for that state's newly open seat with a vow to address voters' persistent concerns about the challenges of making ends meet. Even Republicans quietly note that Cooper's candidacy makes their job of holding the seat more difficult and expensive. Cooper had raised $2.6 million for his campaign between his Monday launch and Tuesday, and more than $900,000 toward allied groups. Republicans, meanwhile, are hardly ceding the economic populist ground. In announcing his candidacy for the Senate on Thursday, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley credited President Donald Trump with fulfilling campaign promises to working Americans and painted Cooper as a puppet of the left. Still, Cooper's opening message that he hears the worries of working families has given Democrats in North Carolina and beyond a sense that they can reclaim their place as the party that champions the middle class. They think it's a message that could help them pick up a Senate seat, and possibly more, in next year's midterm elections, which in recent years have typically favored the party out of power. 'I'm Roy Cooper. And I know that today, for too many Americans, the middle class feels like a distant dream,' the former governor said in a video announcing his candidacy. 'Meanwhile, the biggest corporations and the richest Americans have grabbed unimaginable wealth at your expense. It's time for that to change.' Cooper's plainspoken appeal may represent just the latest effort by Democrats to find their way back to power, but it has some thinking they've finally found their footing after last year's resounding losses. 'I think it would do us all a lot of good to take a close look at his example,' said Larry Grisolano, a Chicago-based Democratic media strategist and former adviser to President Barack Obama. Whatley, a former North Carolina GOP chairman and close Trump ally, used his Thursday announcement that he was entering the race to hail the president as the true champion of the middle class. He said Trump had already fulfilled promises to end taxes on tips and overtime and said Cooper was out of step with North Carolinians. 'Six months in, it's pretty clear to see, America is back,' Whatley said. 'A healthy, robust economy, safe kids and communities and a strong America. These are the North Carolina values that I will champion if elected.' Still, the decision by Cooper, who held statewide office for 24 years and has never lost an election, makes North Carolina a potential bright spot in a midterm election cycle when Democrats must net four seats to retake the majority — and when most of the 2026 Senate contests are in states Trump won comfortably last November. State Rep. Cynthia Ball threw up a hand in excitement when asked Monday at the North Carolina Legislative Building about Cooper's announcement. 'Everyone I've spoken to was really hoping that he was going to run,' said the Raleigh Democrat. Democratic legislators hope having Cooper's name at the top of the ballot will encourage higher turnout and help them in downballot races. While Republicans have controlled both General Assembly chambers since 2011, Democrats managed last fall to end the GOP's veto-proof majority, if only by a single seat. Republican strategists familiar with the national Senate landscape have said privately that Cooper poses a formidable threat. The Senate Leadership Fund, a GOP super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, wasted no time in challenging Cooper's portrayal of a common-sense advocate for working people. 'Roy Cooper masquerades as a moderate,' the narrator in the 30-second spot says. 'But he's just another radical, D.C. liberal in disguise.' Cooper, a former state legislator who served four terms as attorney general before he became governor, has never held an office in Washington. Still, Whatley was quick to link Cooper to national progressive figures such as New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Whatley accused Cooper of failing to address illegal immigration and of supporting liberal gender ideology. He echoed the themes raised in the Senate Leadership Fund ad, which noted Cooper's vetoes in the Republican-led legislature of measures popular with conservatives, such as banning gender-affirming health care for minors and requiring county sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration officials. 'Roy Cooper may pretend to be different than the radical extremists,' Whatley said. 'But he is all-in on their agenda.' Cooper first won the governorship in 2016, while Trump was carrying the state in his first White House bid. Four years later, they both carried the state again. Cooper, who grew up in a small town 60 miles (96.6 kilometers) east of Raleigh, has long declined requests that he seek federal office. He 'understands rural North Carolina,' veteran North Carolina strategist Thomas Mills said. 'And while he's not going to win it, he knows how to talk to those folks.' As with most Democrats, Cooper's winning coalition includes the state's largest cities and suburbs. But he has long made enough inroads in other areas to win. 'He actually listens to what voters are trying to tell us, instead of us trying to explain to them how they should think and feel,' said state Sen. Michael Garrett, a Greensboro Democrat. In his video announcement, Cooper tried to turn the populist appeal Trump made to voters on checkbook issues against the party in power, casting himself as the Washington outsider. Senior Cooper strategist Morgan Jackson said the message represents a shift and will take work to drive home with voters. 'Part of the challenge Democrats had in 2024 is we were not addressing directly the issues people were concerned about today,' Jackson said. 'We have to acknowledge what people are going through right now and what they are feeling, that he hears you and understands what you feel.' Pat Dennis, president of American Bridge 21st Century, a group that conducts research for an initiative called the Working Class Project, said Cooper struck a tone that other Democrats should try to match. 'His focus on affordability and his outsider status really hits a lot of the notes these folks are interested in,' Dennis said. 'I do think it's a model, especially his focus on affordability.' 'We can attack Republicans all day long, but unless we have candidates who can really embody that message, we're not going to be able to take back power.'
