CNN
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Roy Cooper said Monday that now is not the right time for him to join the national ticket, two sources familiar with the discussions told CNN that he has removed himself from consideration as a running mate for North Carolina Gov. Kamala Harris. The search has entered a new phase.
Harris’ decision could come within a week, two people familiar with the matter said, adding that Harris’ goal is to make an announcement before Aug. 7. Sources said he wants to have private conversations with top contenders, but that is not clear. Have those discussions started?
“I strongly support Vice President Harris’ campaign for president. I knew she was going to win and I was considered for the role. It’s not the right time for North Carolina, and I could be on the national ticket,” Cooper said. A statement X has posted on his personal account. “As I’ve said from the start, he’s got a great list of people to pick from and we’ll all be working hard to make sure he succeeds.”
Cooper was approached by the Harris campaign about being vetted, and he declined, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
The governor, whose friendship with Harris dates back to his time as attorney general of their respective states, was also a senior candidate under consideration. His age, 67, was seen by some Democrats as at odds with Harris’ push for a more radical and younger ticket, sources said.
There was concern among some Democrats about promoting North Carolina’s Republican lieutenant governor, Mark Robinson, who the state constitution says will perform the duties of governor in the state’s absence.
Other Democrats in the state and in Washington, DC, told CNN that Cooper could see a run in the 2026 Senate race for the seat currently held by Republican Thom Tillis.
Polling and extensive research is underway for other top Democratic caucus contenders, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. sources including Mark Kelly said. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walls, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also seen as prospective drivers.
CNN has reached out to Cooper’s representative. The Harris campaign declined to comment.
A CNN reporter breaks down the pros and cons of Harris’ potential VP picks
In a “White Dudes for Harris” Zoom call Monday night to rally support for the vice president, Cooper praised Harris’ accomplishments, calling her a “strong woman” the nation needs.
“Kamala Harris is a strong woman. She is going to run this country in a way that cares about pocketbook issues. … She is going to clean up our environment. He is going to work to ensure that people have access to healthcare and quality education. We need that kind of person,” he said in the call.
Cooper did not mention being considered as a potential running mate for Harris.
Considered one of the top contenders for the role, Cooper leads a state that will be an important battleground in 2024. He was narrowly elected in 2016 by over 10,000 votes. He won re-election in 2020 and cannot run for a third term. He approved Harris said earlier this month that he “has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and run our country thoughtfully and with integrity.”
Throughout his tenure as governor, Cooper has clashed with lawmakers in the state legislature, where Republicans hold a large majority, over issues such as abortion rights and voting rights.
Cooper has previously waved off speculation that Harris would be on the short list for vice presidential nominees if President Joe Biden withdraws from his re-election campaign and becomes the nominee.
“I don’t want to play this new favorite political parlor game because stopping Donald Trump is very important to America,” Cooper told CNN in July.
After Biden stepped aside and announced his support for Harris, a wave of endorsements from state delegates made him the Democratic nominee.
The Democratic National Committee’s rules committee last week adopted the rules the party will use to select its presidential nominee, with voting to officially nominate Harris set to begin Aug. 1. The party has said it will nominate its presidential and vice-presidential candidates by August 1. 7.
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
CNN’s Dianne Gallagher, Edward-Isaac Dovere and Ebony Davis contributed to this story.
