WASHINGTON — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper chose not to be considered as a candidate in Vice President Kamala Harris’ search for a running mate, according to two sources familiar with the situation. One reason cited was concerns about his Republican lieutenant governor assuming control in his absence if he were chosen.
Cooper, 67, withdrew before Harris officially began collecting vetting information from potential vice presidential candidates, the sources said. They requested anonymity to discuss the confidential search process. Harris’ search is still ongoing, with her teams of lawyers and political aides reviewing details on a narrowed list of contenders.
Initially, Harris’ team considered about a dozen potential contenders, but the field has since narrowed. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly are now seen as front-runners, according to the sources.
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Cooper stated, “This wasn’t the right time for North Carolina and myself to potentially be on a national ticket.” He added that Harris “has an outstanding list of people to choose from, and we will all work to ensure her victory.”
Cooper, a former chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, has had a close relationship with Harris dating back to their time as state attorneys general. His potential selection was seen as a way to help shift North Carolina into Harris’ hands, the Democrats’ only significant opportunity to expand on their 2020 map.
According to the state constitution, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the GOP’s nominee to succeed the term-limited Cooper, would become acting governor and assume the Democrat’s powers when he is traveling out of state.
Cooper expressed concerns about what Robinson might do if he were to leave the state extensively for campaign travel, one of the sources stated.
Robinson, an outspoken social conservative, has made controversial statements on abortion, gender roles, and LGBTQ rights. He has been criticized for his extreme views.
Before President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, Cooper appeared with Harris at campaign events in North Carolina. He has avoided questions about the vetting process, saying, “I trust her to make the right decision.”
The New York Times first reported Cooper’s decision to withdraw from the process, but did not provide details on the timing or rationale. The Harris campaign declined to comment.
