Republican Leader Requests Documents From Cooper

 A state Republican Party leader has filed a massive document demand on Attorney General Roy Cooper. The request looks for information going back to Cooper's first year in statewide office as the Democrat prepares for a gubernatorial campaign next year.

GOP Executive Director Todd Poole sent the request to Cooper on Monday under the public records law. Among the documents sought include correspondence between the attorney general's office and former Govs. Mike Easley and Beverly Perdue and with former Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton going back to 2001.

The Republican party leader also wants all emails sent and received from Cooper's official email address and private address related to official work, as well as correspondence from his office with legislators.

Public record requests of elected officials by a rival group or individual aren't uncommon in advance of campaigns.