According to ABC News, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper officially withdrew from the race to become Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 presidential election.
On Monday night, Governor Cooper announced that he would no longer be considered for the vice presidential spot on Kamala Harris' 2024 ticket. This decision followed his strong endorsement of Vice President Harris' campaign.
Cooper explained that the timing and current circumstances in North Carolina influenced his choice not to seek a national role. Despite this decision, Cooper remains a steadfast supporter of Harris.
Shortly after his announcement, Governor Cooper joined a grassroots organizing call aptly named "White Dudes for Harris." Interestingly, he did not discuss his recent decision to withdraw during the call. Instead, Cooper continued to emphasize the crucial role of Harris' candidacy in the upcoming election.
"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," Cooper stated, affirming his commitment to Harris’ campaign.
Earlier this month, on July 21, Cooper had officially endorsed Harris, reflecting on their shared history as attorneys general and underscoring her qualifications to lead the nation.
Roy Cooper was expected to help extend Democratic influence into swing states if he joined Harris' campaign. His inclusion on the ticket could have been a significant development, especially given North Carolina's political landscape.
If Cooper had accepted a national role, North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, a Republican, would have taken over as the active governor. This would have added a layer of political complexity, as Robinson is currently running against Democratic nominee, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, for the governorship.
The decision leaves the path open for Harris to consider other prominent candidates as possible running mates, among them Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
In the meantime, Vice President Harris is anticipated to secure the Democratic presidential nomination imminently. The Democratic National Convention Committee's Rules Committee stipulates that a presidential nominee must be chosen by August 7. However, the selection of a vice-presidential candidate does not need to adhere to this same deadline, though it is still likely that the nominee for vice-president will also be chosen by then.
"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 reiterated, indicating that he would continue to play a supportive role in the upcoming election.
Cooper further added, "Kamala Harris should be the next President. I’ve known @VP going back to our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC up and down the ticket."
Governor Roy Cooper's withdrawal from the vice-presidential race was motivated by the timing and current state of affairs in North Carolina. Despite this, Cooper continues to strongly support Kamala Harris' candidacy for the presidency. After his announcement, Cooper joined a grassroots call and reiterated the significance of Harris' bid, having previously endorsed her on July 21. His potential departure from the governor's role would have affected North Carolina's political scene, implicating Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson.
