North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has withdrawn himself from consideration to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Cooper, who will leave office at the end of the year, was vetted for the position but decided it wasn’t the right time for North Carolina or himself. It is unclear if Cooper lost interest in the position or made the decision on his own. Harris is aiming to name a running mate before Aug. 7, with other Democrats under consideration including Sen. Mark Kelly, Governors Josh Shapiro, Tim Walz, Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg, and Gretchen Whitmer. Cooper was seen as a strong contender due to his potential to help Harris win North Carolina, a key battleground state in the 2024 election. He has been credited with pushing progressive causes in a Republican-controlled state, such as expanding Medicaid and supporting abortion access. Cooper’s decision to take his name out of contention comes as a surprise to many, as he was considered a top choice for the position.
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