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.
“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.
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.
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