After N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper Withdraws, Kamala Harris’ V.P. Shortlist Gets Even Smaller

After North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) withdrew from consideration as running mate for Kamala Harris, the field has narrowed to a handful of prospects.

Cooper’s withdrawal signifies that her search has entered a new phase. Sources have revealed that Harris has held private conversations with the top contenders, though it is not yet clear if these conversations have started yet.

In a statement, Cooper said, “This just wasn’t the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket,” but that he “strongly supports Vice President Harris’ campaign for President. She has an outstanding list of people from which to choose, and we’ll all work to make sure she wins.”

The case for Cooper’s candidacy was centered around his demonstrated ability to win in a swing state and his past friendship with Harris when they were both attorneys general of their respective states. However, Cooper was the oldest candidate at 67, and Harris has expressed a desire for a younger ticket.

There were also concerns that Mark Robinson, North Carolina’s right-wing Republican lieutenant governor, would be next-in-line for the governor position following the state’s constitution in the event Cooper was elected as vice president.

On a Zoom call intended to garner support for the current vice president, Cooper further commended Harris. “Kamala Harris is a strong woman… She’s going to work to clean our environment. She’s going to work to make sure that people have health care and quality education. That’s the kind of person that we need,” he said.

He did not mention his withdrawal from the pool of Harris’s potential running mates.

Cooper had made it on the shortlist for prospective running mates before his withdrawal. Other candidates are speculated to include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona). Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Last week, the Democratic National Committee rules panel set the guidelines that will be used to pick its nominee, with the process likely beginning August 1. The party has expressed that the goal for selecting a running mate for the ticket is August 7.