[go: up one dir, main page]
Politics

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper withdraws from consideration to be Kamala Harris’ running mate

By
David Propper
Published July 29, 2024
Updated July 30, 2024, 7:00 a.m. ET

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has taken himself out of consideration to be Kamala Harris’ running mate.

Cooper, who’s in the middle of his second term, said on Monday he won’t pursue the vice presidential role in Harris’ presidential campaign, eliminating one of about a half-dozen contenders who could still be selected. 

“I strongly support Vice President Harris’ campaign for President. I know she’s going to win and I was honored to be considered for this role,” he wrote on X.

N.C. Governor Roy Cooper speaking at a press conference, being considered as potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 election
Cooper had been considered a top contender to be Harris’ running mate in recent days. AP
Vice President Kamala Harris delivering remarks at a campaign event in Pittsfield, Mass., standing at a podium with microphones, July 27, 2024.
Kamala Harris is likely to be the Democratic presidential nominee. AP
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addresses the VFW National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, Monday, July 29, 2024.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is a potential vice presidential candidate for Harris to choose from. Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

“This just wasn’t the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket. As I’ve said from the beginning, she has an outstanding list of people from which to choose, and we’ll all work to make sure she wins.”

Cooper was approached by Harris campaign aides about undergoing vetting, but he turned them down, a source told CNN.

The North Carolina governor is said to have conveyed concerns about going through the process at age 67, CNN reported.

Democrats in North Carolina were also worried that GOP Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson would perform Cooper’s duties when the governor is out of the state in accordance with the state constitution, CNN reported.

United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks during a television interview at the White House in Washington, DC.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is viewed as another candidate for Harris’s vice presidential pick. Chris Kleponis / Pool via CNP / SplashNews.com
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaks alongside Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer at a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at Wissahickon High School in Ambler on Monday, July 29, 2024.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaks alongside Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer at a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at Wissahickon High School in Ambler on Monday, July 29, 2024. Daniella Heminghaus / USA TODAY NETWORK
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a Biden-Harris campaign and DNC press conference on July 17, 2024 at venue name in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Critics pointed to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as another potential candidate for Harris’s vice president. Getty Images
Sen. Mark Kelly delivers his victory speech at Barrio Cafe on Nov. 12, 2022, in Phoenix.
Some have said Sen. Mark Kelly would be a great vice presidential candidate. Antranik Tavitian/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Other potential Harris vice presidential picks include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she isn’t interested in serving as Harris’ running mate, but supports her candidacy against GOP nominee and former President Donald Trump.

Cooper, who can’t run for a third term as governor, was first elected to lead North Carolina in 2016 and took office the following year.

Trump carried North Carolina in 2016 and in 2020 during his first two runs for president.