Roy Cooper backs out of consideration to be Harris’ running mate

Governor of North Carolina Roy Cooper informed about this Kamala Harris‘ in the presidential campaign, he does not want to be considered in his search candidate for vice presidentthe governor said Monday night.

Cooper said statement explaining his decision that he still supported Harris’ candidacy even though he had not considered himself for the role.

“I strongly support Vice President Harris’ presidential campaign,” Cooper said. “I know she will win and I am honored to play this role. It just wasn’t the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on the national ticket.”

“As I’ve said from the beginning, he’s got a great list to choose from and we’re all going to work hard to make sure he wins,” he said.

The New York Times reported first He said he declined to consider Cooper’s name.

A source familiar with the situation told NBC News that Cooper was asked to provide information for the vetting process and refused to do so. His team was aware of the potential complexity of a state law that would allow a lieutenant governor to take over in the absence of the governor, but his team gave no reason to interpret the law to mean that a lieutenant governor, who is still in communication, cannot take over while he is governor, according to the source.

A source directly involved in Harris’ candidacy search said Cooper has removed himself from the mix because he wants to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. Cooper, 67, never told the campaign he wanted to run for vice president, the source said. told the president and Harris aides that he did not want to be considered.

This was previously reported by NBC News He pointed to interviews with some Democrats CooperAlong with Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Harris is the primary candidate to join the Democratic Party.

Other governors, including Kentucky Andy Beshear and Minnesota’s Tim Walz and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also among the potential candidates.

Harris campaign said before she plans to choose her running mate by August 7.

President Joe Biden, 81, came out of 2024 competition on July 21 and confirmed Harris, 59, on the same day.

Donald Trump, 78 years old, Republican presidential candidate, announced his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance. two weeks ago. Vance turns 40 next month.