North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has withdrawn from consideration to be Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate for the upcoming presidential election. Governor Cooper confirmed his decision in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday evening, citing that "it wasn't the right time for North Carolina and for me."
The news was first reported by The New York Times, which indicated that Cooper had informed Harris' team of his decision to withdraw. The governor elaborated in his statement, "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. This just wasn't the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket."
Governor Cooper was seen as a top contender among Harris's potential running mates in recent days. His withdrawal from consideration comes amid an accelerated search for Harris's vice-presidential pick, which sources say could be announced within a week. Cooper's decision to step aside leaves the field open for other prominent Democratic figures, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, all of whom have reportedly been vetted by Harris's team.
John Locke Foundation senior political analyst Mitch Kokai remarked that Governor Cooper was considered "a good match" for Harris. "Democrats are likely to see Roy Cooper as a good match for Kamala Harris for multiple reasons. First and foremost, Cooper helps bring North Carolina's 16 electoral votes into play in a way other candidates do not," Kokai explained. "He has won six statewide elections since 2000. That's an impressive accomplishment for a Democrat in a state that has trended right during the same time period."
Cooper's decision was influenced by several factors, including his commitment to North Carolina and concerns about the timing. Additionally, Cooper, who is 67 years old, was the oldest candidate under consideration, which some Democrats felt was at odds with Harris's push for a younger and more vigorous ticket. There were also concerns about elevating North Carolina's Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, who would assume the governorship if Cooper were to leave the state for the national ticket.
Harris's campaign is expected to continue its vetting process, with private conversations with top contenders likely to take place soon. The final decision is anticipated before August 7, with the goal of announcing the vice-presidential pick ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.
Governor Cooper's withdrawal from the running comes amid a backdrop of political maneuvering and strategic decisions as the Democratic Party prepares for a contentious election season. Cooper has been a significant figure in North Carolina politics, winning reelection in 2020 and maintaining a prominent role in the state's Democratic Party. His endorsement of Harris earlier this month underscored his support for her candidacy.
On a "White Dudes for Harris" Zoom call to rally support for the vice president on Monday night, Cooper praised Harris's record, calling her a "strong woman" who the nation needs. "Kamala Harris is a strong woman. She's going to run this country in a way that she cares about the pocketbook issues. ... She's going to work to clean our environment. She's going to work to make sure that people have health care and quality education. That's the kind of person that we need," he said.
