In a move that has sent ripples through the political landscape, North Carolina's Governor, Roy Cooper, has officially bowed out of the race to become Vice President Kamala Harris's right-hand man. This decision, revealed in a Monday scoop by the New York Times, marks a significant shake-up in the Democratic vice-presidential nominee selection process. Cooper's withdrawal was confirmed through a statement on his X account Monday evening, where he expressed unwavering support for Harris's presidential bid but noted the timing wasn't right for him or North Carolina to step into the national spotlight.
The departure of Cooper from Harris's list of potential VPs leaves the field open to other Democratic heavyweights including Minnesota’s Tim Walz, Kentucky’s Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, Arizona’s Mark Kelly and none other than Pete Buttigieg, the current Transportation Secretary. Despite having around a dozen Democrats initially in the vetting process for this coveted role, insiders have indicated that Harris has honed in on these five candidates as her top picks.
Governor Cooper is not just any politician bowing out; he brings with him a hefty political résumé as North Carolina's governor since 2017. His decision to step aside stems partly from concerns within Democratic circles about leaving his gubernatorial duties—and potentially handing over temporary control to N.C.'s Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson—a figure who is no stranger to controversy with his right-wing commentary.
This strategic withdrawal by Cooper could have been a tactical retreat aimed at preserving North Carolina’s Democratic interests. After all, placing Robinson in charge even temporarily could risk upending Cooper’s progressive efforts in the state. Yet one can’t help but speculate whether there were other underlying reasons for his withdrawal. Was it purely a matter of bad timing or did internal polling and political strategizing play a role?
Cooper’s potential addition to Harris's ticket had been viewed as a strategic move to lock down North Carolina and its 16 electoral votes—a state known for its political swings. His track record of electoral success and appeal as a seasoned white male politician might have offered some balance to Harris’s groundbreaking candidacy.
As we edge closer to August 7th when Harris will be formally declared the Democratic nominee via virtual vote by delegates at the Democratic National Convention, all eyes are on who will be her chosen VP. The choice is more than just about balancing demographics; it's about finding someone who can complement Harris’s vision and campaign trail energy leading up to November.
With Cooper stepping back into the shadows of North Carolina politics and with his term ending on January 1st, 2025, speculation is already mounting about what his next move might be—and how this decision not to run alongside Harris will impact his political legacy and perhaps even reshape Democratic strategies moving forward.
In summary, while Roy Cooper may not grace national campaign stages as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate come this election season, his withdrawal from consideration underscores the high-stakes game of political chess being played behind closed doors—a game that will undoubtedly continue to intrigue and surprise as November draws near.
Gov. Roy Cooper making first appearance since announcing he’s taking himself out of the running for VP slot — he was one of the speakers on “White Dudes for Harris” fundraising call: “Real men respect women… It’s pretty clear Donald Trump and JD Vance don’t” #ncpol @ABC11_WTVD pic.twitter.com/y1gm8ZpmAp
— Tom George (@TheTomGeorge) July 30, 2024
The departure of Cooper from Harris's list of potential VPs leaves the field open to other Democratic heavyweights including Minnesota’s Tim Walz, Kentucky’s Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, Arizona’s Mark Kelly and none other than Pete Buttigieg, the current Transportation Secretary. Despite having around a dozen Democrats initially in the vetting process for this coveted role, insiders have indicated that Harris has honed in on these five candidates as her top picks.
Governor Cooper is not just any politician bowing out; he brings with him a hefty political résumé as North Carolina's governor since 2017. His decision to step aside stems partly from concerns within Democratic circles about leaving his gubernatorial duties—and potentially handing over temporary control to N.C.'s Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson—a figure who is no stranger to controversy with his right-wing commentary.
This strategic withdrawal by Cooper could have been a tactical retreat aimed at preserving North Carolina’s Democratic interests. After all, placing Robinson in charge even temporarily could risk upending Cooper’s progressive efforts in the state. Yet one can’t help but speculate whether there were other underlying reasons for his withdrawal. Was it purely a matter of bad timing or did internal polling and political strategizing play a role?
Cooper’s potential addition to Harris's ticket had been viewed as a strategic move to lock down North Carolina and its 16 electoral votes—a state known for its political swings. His track record of electoral success and appeal as a seasoned white male politician might have offered some balance to Harris’s groundbreaking candidacy.
As we edge closer to August 7th when Harris will be formally declared the Democratic nominee via virtual vote by delegates at the Democratic National Convention, all eyes are on who will be her chosen VP. The choice is more than just about balancing demographics; it's about finding someone who can complement Harris’s vision and campaign trail energy leading up to November.
With Cooper stepping back into the shadows of North Carolina politics and with his term ending on January 1st, 2025, speculation is already mounting about what his next move might be—and how this decision not to run alongside Harris will impact his political legacy and perhaps even reshape Democratic strategies moving forward.
In summary, while Roy Cooper may not grace national campaign stages as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate come this election season, his withdrawal from consideration underscores the high-stakes game of political chess being played behind closed doors—a game that will undoubtedly continue to intrigue and surprise as November draws near.
