Recent reports suggest that North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is being considered as a possible vice-presidential candidate to run alongside current Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket in 2024.
Current President Joe Biden made history on Sunday by announcing that he would not seek the Democratic presidential nomination. Instead, he endorsed Harris as his successor.
If Harris secures the presidential nomination and chooses Cooper as her running mate, what impact could that decision have on the pivotal swing state of North Carolina?
Many Democrats are supporting former Senator Harris, and the selection of a southern governor like Cooper, who is perceived as moderate, could help turn undecided states like North Carolina and Georgia blue. This strategy could offset potential losses in industrial belt states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, which cost the Democrats the 2016 elections.
Experts suggest that Cooper’s presence on the Democratic ticket could make North Carolina a key battleground state for the Democrats. Political science research indicates that the presence of a vice-presidential candidate can add around three percentage points to their party in their home state, potentially making a difference in a closely contested election.
The impact of Cooper’s name on the presidential ticket on the North Carolina elections remains uncertain. Aside from the presidential race, major contests in the state include the gubernatorial race between Republican Mark Robinson and Democrat Josh Stein, as well as Council of State races for positions like attorney general and lieutenant governor. The only competitive congressional race is in the 1st Congressional District.
Factors such as the quality of candidates and demographic changes could influence electoral outcomes in the state. The growing black population in North Carolina and the potential mobilization of black voters by Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian descent, could play a significant role in the upcoming elections.
Overall, North Carolina’s electorate has become increasingly polarized, and every percentage point shift could have significant consequences in the upcoming elections. The decision on Cooper as a potential vice-presidential candidate could impact North Carolina’s political landscape in 2024.
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