Governor Cooper, a leading running mate candidate for Harris, withdraws from nomination race

Roy Cooper, the Governor of North Carolina who was considered a leading candidate as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate, has voluntarily withdrawn from the nomination race. This move is interpreted as a response to concerns about his advanced age and the political instability caused by his absence as governor. The remaining leading candidates include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator Mark Kelly.

On the 29th (local time), Governor Cooper released a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying, "It was an honor to be considered as a potential vice presidential candidate," and added, "I have determined that now is not the right time to leave North Carolina and step onto the national stage." He emphasized, "Vice President Harris has an excellent pool of running mate candidates, and we will all work to ensure her victory."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

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Governor Cooper, known to have a close relationship with Vice President Harris, gained popularity by being elected governor consecutively in North Carolina, a state won by former President Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020. Like Vice President Harris, who also served as state attorney general, Cooper has actively pursued policies aligned with the Democratic agenda in North Carolina, including Medicaid expansion, criminal justice reform, and LGBTQ rights. Particularly, he was regarded as an ideal running mate for Vice President Harris because he is an elected official who could appeal to moderate and independent voters who harbor resentment toward former President Trump.

According to sources cited by Politico, Governor Cooper was at the top of Vice President Harris's list of running mate candidates but expressed his desire to withdraw from the running mate pool to Harris's team a week ago. This announcement came the day after President Joe Biden abruptly withdrew from the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Harris as his successor.

One source noted, "Cooper was never truly a running mate candidate for Harris from the start," pointing out that his advanced age, ambitions to run for the Senate, and the political instability caused by his absence as governor were obstacles. The North Carolina state constitution stipulates that if the governor leaves the state, the lieutenant governor assumes authority. Governor Cooper is interpreted to have been concerned that if he were absent, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, a Republican, might gain political advantages contrary to Democratic interests. Cooper, who is 67 years old this year, is also mentioned as a potential Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2026.

Following Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's withdrawal, Governor Cooper's exit further narrows the field of Vice President Harris's running mate candidates. Local media, including The New York Times (NYT), report that among the remaining candidates, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are leading. Additionally, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo are also reportedly under consideration for the vice presidential nomination. Vice President Harris's running mate is expected to be selected before August 7. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place from September 19 to 22.

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