Alison Joyce/AFP/Getty Images
James B. of Greensboro, North Carolina. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper speaks at a Biden Harris campaign event July 11 at Dudley High School.
CNN
—
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper recused himself from Kamala Harris as vice president. Running mateAccording to two sources familiar with the discussions, the Accelerated search A new phase has been entered. Cooper took to social media on Monday to say now is not the right time for him to be on the national ticket.
Harris’ decision could come within a week, two people familiar with the matter said, adding that Harris’ goal is to make an announcement before Aug. 7. Sources said he wants to have private conversations with top contenders, but that is not clear. Have those discussions started?
“I strongly support Vice President Harris’ campaign for president. I knew she was going to win and I was considered for the role. It’s not the right time for North Carolina, and I could be on the national ticket,” Cooper said. A statement X has posted on his personal account. “As I’ve said from the start, he’s got a great list of people to pick from and we’ll all be working hard to make sure he succeeds.”
Cooper was approached by the Harris campaign about being vetted, and he declined, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
The governor, whose friendship with Harris dates back to his time as attorney general of their respective states, was also a senior candidate under consideration. His age, 67, was seen by some Democrats as at odds with Harris’ push for a more radical and younger ticket, sources said.
There was also concern among some Democrats about promoting Mark Robinson, the state’s Republican lieutenant governor, who the state constitution says would perform the governor’s duties in the state’s absence.
Polling and extensive research is underway for other top contenders, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. sources including Mark Kelly said. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walls, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also seen as prospective drivers.
CNN has reached out to Cooper’s representative. The Harris campaign declined to comment.
03:30 – Source: CNN
A CNN reporter breaks down the pros and cons of Harris’ potential VP picks
Considered one of the top contenders for the role, Cooper leads a state that will be an important battleground in 2024. He was elected for the first time in 2016. Just 10,000 votes. He won re-election in 2020 and cannot run for a third term. He approved Harris said earlier this month that he “has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country with thoughtfulness and integrity.”
Throughout his tenure as governor, Cooper has clashed with lawmakers in the state legislature, where Republicans hold a large majority, over issues such as abortion rights and voting rights.
Cooper has previously waved off speculation that he could be on the shortlist for vice presidential nominees if he becomes president. Joe Biden Withdrawing from his re-election campaign, Harris became a candidate.
“I don’t want to play this new favorite political parlor game because stopping Donald Trump is so important to America.” Cooper told CNN in July.
After Biden He announced his resignation And endorsing Harris, a wave of support from state delegates made him the Democratic nominee.
Last week the Democratic National Committee rules committee Rules accepted The party is using it to choose its presidential candidate, with voting to officially nominate Harris beginning Aug. 1. The party has said its goal is to nominate its presidential and vice-presidential candidates by August 7.
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
CNN’s Diane Gallagher and Edward-Isaac Dover contributed to this story.
