North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper withdraws from race to be Harris' VP pick

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement on Monday night signaling that he's removed himself from contention as a vice presidential running mate for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

"I strongly support Vice President Harris' campaign for President. I know she's going to win and I was honored to be considered for this role. This just wasn't the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket," he said in a post on X.

"As l've said from the beginning, she has an outstanding list of people from which to choose, and we'll all work to make sure she wins," he added.

Moments after Cooper issued his statement, he delivered remarks on a "White Dudes for Harris" Zoom call, but did not address withdrawing as a possible running mate. The governor instead took the time to boost Harris' candidacy, saying, "We know that this country needs Kamala Harris more than ever right now, and we can hold the key now."

Cooper previously announced his support for Harris' presidential campaign. On July 21, he formally endorsed the vice president, writing, "Kamala Harris should be the next President. I’ve known @VP going back to our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC up and down the ticket."

Cooper, who is the former chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, was seen as a possible top contender for Harris' 2024 election ticket to expand the Democratic Party's reach into swing states.

If Cooper were to join Harris' campaign, however, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson would become active governor while on the campaign trail, under constitutional law.

Robinson is the Republican party's nominee for governor in the state, in the race to replace Cooper who is term-limited from running for a third time.

Other rumored contenders for Harris' running mate include Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

Harris is expected to announce her VP nomination by Aug. 7, ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which will kick off in Chicago on Aug. 19.