North Carolina Democratic Governor Roy Cooper has decided to withdraw from consideration as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 election, The New York Times reported.
Spokespeople for both the Harris and Cooper campaigns declined to comment, and no reasons for the withdrawal were given. according to According to the New York Times, Cooper is a prominent Democratic figure who has had a long-standing working relationship with Harris, dating back to her days as state attorney general, and who recently campaigned with her.
BREAKING NEWS: North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has reportedly declined to be Kamala Harris' running mate. https://t.co/kcgrpOxLag
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 29, 2024
Cooper won the gubernatorial election in North Carolina, a key battleground state where Republicans have an advantage in the presidential election. However, the media outlet reported that Cooper is ineligible to seek a third term as governor due to term limits. This move comes as Harris, who has entered the race to succeed President Joe Biden, is under pressure to choose her running mate by August 7. (Related: Harris campaign names Eric Holder as VP vetting manager)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 25: US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to reporters after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Vice President's Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC on July 25, 2024. (Photo by Kenny Holston Pool/Getty Images)
Those still in the running include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, according to The New York Times. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also recently dropped out of the running.
