Roy Cooper withdraws from Kamala Harris' vice presidential consideration

North Carolina governor Roy Cooper has opted not to participate in vice president Kamala Harris' search for a running mate in the US elections, citing concerns about his Republican lieutenant governor assuming control in his absence, according to sources familiar with the matter.

67-year-old Cooper withdrew from the running mate search before vice president Kamala Harris began vetting potential candidates, sources revealed on Monday. The governor expressed that this was not the right time for North Carolina or for him to join a national ticket. "This just wasn’t the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket,” Cooper said in a statement. “Harris has an outstanding list of people from which to choose, and we’ll all work to make sure she wins", according to AP.

Harris' search for a running mate is ongoing, with her team of lawyers and political aides reviewing a narrowing list of candidates. Initially, about a dozen contenders were under consideration, but the focus has now shifted to Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, who are seen as front-runners.

Cooper, the former chairman of the Democratic governors association, has a longstanding relationship with Harris dating back to their time as state attorneys general. His potential selection was viewed as advantageous for shifting North Carolina — a critical state for Democrats — into Harris' favour.

Under North Carolina's state constitution, lieutenant governor Mark Robinson, a Republican and the GOP nominee to replace the term-limited Cooper, would assume the governor's powers when Cooper travels out of state. Cooper's concerns about Robinson's potential actions in his absence played a significant role in his decision to withdraw. Robinson is known for his ardent social conservative views, including calling abortion "child sacrifice" and making derogatory remarks about LGBTQ+ individuals.

In the weeks leading up to President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race, Cooper appeared alongside Harris at campaign events in Greensboro and Fayetteville. He has remained discreet about the vetting process, recently stating, “I trust her to make the right decision.”

The New York Times first reported Cooper's withdrawal, but did not detail the timing or rationale. The Harris campaign has declined to comment on the matter.