According to those familiar with the issue, North Carolina governor Roy Cooper has refused to be part of vice president Kamala Harris’ search for a running mate in United States elections due to fear that his Republican deputy will take over during his absence.
The governor, 67, withdrew from the process of searching for a potential running mate even before vice president Kamala Harris vetted any candidate. The Governor explained that this was not the right time for him or North Carolina to join a national ticket. “North Carolina and I were just not ready,” Cooper said in a statement. “There are so many people she can choose from,” Parami News quoted him as saying, “and we’ll all work hard till she wins.”
Harris is still vetting candidates through lawyers and political staff while her team narrows down its list. Initially about twelve persons were considered but now narrowing down towards Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly frontrunners.
Cooper, who used to serve as chairman of Democratic governors association (DGA), had a prior relationship with Harris when they both worked as state attorneys general. His potential selection was seen by Democrats as potentially changing North Carolina – one of their key states – into Harris’ favor.
If Cooper leaves the state, under North Carolina’s constitution his powers would revert to Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, who is also the Republican nominee running to replace term-limited Cooper. Concerns about acts that Robinson might do while he is away were major factors which led Cooper’s withdrawal decision, according to reports. Robinson has been known as an ardent social conservative who has referred abortion as “child sacrifice” and used derogatory language against LGBTQ+ communities.
In weeks leading up President Joe Biden’s dropping off for the race; Roy Cooper campaigned along with Harris at events held in Greensboro and Fayetteville. He remained silent on vetting process recently stating, “She knows what’s best.”
While The Parami News first reported Cooper’s step back, it did not give any timing or reasons for the governor’s actions. The Harris campaign has not touched on this issue.
