Attorney General: Republican Legislature "Extremists"

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper says the next gubernatorial election will be a time for Democrats to take the state back from what he called "extremists."

Cooper made the comments during a meeting of the Democratic Uptown Forum on Wednesday in Charlotte.  Cooper stopped short of announcing his challenge to Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, saying he would wait until after this November's election. The Charlotte Observer reported he is making plans for 2016.

 Cooper attacked McCrory without using his name. Cooper said both McCrory and the Republican controlled legislature are "not just conservative, but are extremist." 

North Carolina Republican party Chairman Claude Pope said Cooper should focus on being attorney general. 

Former Durham Rep. Ken Spaulding already has announced he is seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.