Ladies and gentlemen hold onto your hats because we have some intriguing political news coming your way. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has decided he’s not in the running to be Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate this election season. This announcement came straight from the governor himself in a statement on X.
The story first broke in The New York Times on Monday evening. It turns out that Cooper informed Harris’ team about his decision to withdraw. While the specifics were initially unclear, Cooper later clarified that it “wasn’t the right time for North Carolina and for me.”
In his statement, Cooper expressed his strong support for Vice President Harris’s campaign for President. He said, “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.” Cooper added, “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.”
North Carolina Governor Ray Cooper has backed out of considering to be Kamala Harris’s VP running mate. This still leaves Andy Beshear and Tim Walz amongst those in the running.
She must have scared him somethin’ fierce. pic.twitter.com/4eu48j6lO6
— SNN (@STONENNEWS) July 30, 2024
Just last week, Cooper was seen as a top contender among Harris’ potential running mates. Following President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race, Harris’ team sent vetting materials to Cooper. The Wall Street Journal reported this significant development, highlighting the intense scrutiny each candidate undergoes.
But Cooper wasn’t the only one under consideration. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., were also reportedly sent vetting materials.
Mitch Kokai, a senior political analyst from the John Locke Foundation, mentioned that Cooper was seen as “a good match” for Harris. According to Kokai, Cooper’s ability to bring North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes into play made him a standout candidate. He’s won six statewide elections since 2000, an impressive feat for a Democrat in a state that has leaned right in recent years. Kokai also noted that Cooper offered a “calm, sober, constrained personality” that could balance Harris’ ticket, countering some of the criticism she has faced.
Interestingly, the list of candidates to run with Harris has narrowed even further. Alongside Cooper, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also bowed out. The pressure is on as Vice President Harris, now the Democratic frontrunner for the November election, weighs her options. This begs the question, do they see the writing on the wall?
Whitmer clarified her intentions, stating, “I have communicated with everyone, including the people of Michigan, that I’m going to stay as governor until the end of my term at the end of 2026.” Harris, meanwhile, took a break from the campaign trail to have private conversations with several candidates, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Other notable contenders include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Each candidate has been hitting the national television circuit, showcasing their strengths and what they could bring to the Harris campaign.
Buttigieg, although considered a long shot by his allies, spoke privately with Harris about the opportunity. He also reached out to donors from his 2020 presidential bid, expressing his interest in the role while respecting the selection process.
So there you have it, folks. The race to be Kamala Harris’s running mate is heating up, with significant players stepping aside and new dynamics unfolding. Stay tuned for more updates as this high-stakes decision continues to develop!