WASHINGTON — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper chose not to be a candidate in Vice President Kamala Harris’ search for a running mate, citing concerns that his Republican lieutenant governor would assume control in his absence if he were selected, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
Cooper, 67, withdrew from consideration before Harris began formally seeking vetting material from potential vice presidential candidates, the sources said. They requested anonymity in discussing the confidential search process. Harris’ search is still ongoing, with her legal and political teams reviewing information on a narrowed list of potential candidates.
Initially, Harris’ team considered about a dozen potential contenders, but the field has since narrowed, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly are now considered front-runners, according to the sources.
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In a statement, Cooper said, “This just wasn’t the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket.” He expressed confidence in Harris’ ability to select a strong candidate and emphasized their shared goal of ensuring her success.
Cooper, a former chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, has a long-standing relationship with Harris since their time as state attorneys general. His potential selection was seen as an opportunity to help secure North Carolina, a key state for Democrats, on Harris’ behalf.
Under the state constitution, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the GOP’s nominee to replace the term-limited Cooper, would serve as acting governor and assume the Democrat’s powers when he travels out of state.
Concerns were raised about Robinson’s conservative views, with Cooper expressing unease about what actions Robinson might take if he were to be frequently absent for campaign travel.
In the weeks leading up to President Joe Biden’s exit from the race, Cooper appeared with Harris at campaign events in Greensboro and Fayetteville. He has refrained from commenting on the vetting process, stating, “I trust her to make the right decision” when asked by reporters in North Carolina.
The New York Times first reported Cooper’s withdrawal from consideration without specifying the timing or rationale behind his decision. The Harris campaign declined to comment on the matter.
