By Jerald Jimenez
30 Jul 2024, 10:37 AM EDT
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has decided not to run for vice president in Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, and has been a strong supporter of Harris and her campaign.
“I strongly support Vice President Harris’ campaign for president. I know she will win and I was honored to be considered for this position,” Cooper said on his X account.
Cooper went on to explain that it was not the right time for him or North Carolina to be on a vice presidential ticket.
“As I’ve said from the beginning, she has an excellent list of people to choose from and we will all work to make sure she wins,” the Democratic governor said.
According to sources close to Harris’ campaign, who spoke to CNN, Cooper was approached about submitting to an investigation, but declined the offer. The reason given was his concern about going through the process at age 67.
Cooper, who cannot run for a third term as governor, was first elected to lead North Carolina in 2016 and took office the following year.
North Carolina Democrats also expressed concern that Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson would assume Cooper’s duties when the governor was out of state, based on the state constitution, the outlet reported.
The list of potential running mates includes Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also said she is not interested in being Harris’ running mate but supports her candidacy against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump.
With information from the New York Post