In a recent development, North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has successfully met its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) objectives for 2024.
However, this achievement comes amid a backdrop of unmet core performance goals related to safety, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility, as highlighted in the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) latest annual report.
According to Breitbart, the NCDOT's 2024 Annual Performance Report reveals that while the DMV has fully realized its DEI targets, it has fallen short in critical areas such as road safety, infrastructure upkeep, and financial management.
This report arrives at a politically charged moment, as former Governor Roy Cooper, who appointed DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin in 2022, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in the 2026 election.
Commissioner Goodwin, a former Democratic state legislator and party chair, has declared his intention to step down once a successor is chosen. His tenure has been marred by complaints of prolonged wait times and technical issues, particularly during the summer of 2024, when customers experienced significant delays related to Real ID processing and computer malfunctions.
At the time, Cooper defended the DMV, asserting that it was "making significant strides" despite the challenges it inherited.
These findings contribute to the ongoing scrutiny of Cooper's administrative record. During his governorship, Cooper vetoed legislation aimed at eliminating DEI programs from state government and has been a vocal advocate for DEI initiatives across various sectors. His daughter has also been involved in DEI-related work in the private sector.
The DMV's mixed performance is becoming a contentious issue as Cooper pursues higher office. The state legislature is considering an audit and potential restructuring of the DMV, with some lawmakers advocating for the privatization of certain services. State Auditor Dave Boliek has initiated an audit into the agency's operations, further intensifying the spotlight on the DMV.
Cooper has faced criticism for his management of disaster recovery efforts, notably the delays following Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. The North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, established under Cooper, was dismantled by his successor due to concerns over its performance.
Throughout his tenure, Cooper's policy positions have often clashed with the Republican-controlled General Assembly. He vetoed several bills in 2023 and 2024 that sought to restrict gender transition procedures for minors and mandated local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Although many of these vetoes were overridden, Cooper argued that the legislation targeted vulnerable populations and would negatively impact the state's economy.
As of August 2025, Cooper is the leading Democratic candidate for North Carolina's open Senate seat, following the departure of Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). His candidacy has garnered significant support within the Democratic Party, with former Representative Wiley Nickel suspending his campaign to endorse Cooper just a day after the former governor announced his Senate bid.
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