‘Wasn’t The Right Time’: Another Harris VP Candidate Takes Name Off Shortlist

North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who was reportedly under consideration to run with Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic presidential ticket, said on Monday that it “wasn’t the right time” for him to “potentially” run for vice president.

Cooper released a statement Monday evening voicing his “strong support” for Harris’ campaign, but adding, “This just wasn’t the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket.” The governor is nearing the end of his second term and will soon be termed out.

“As I’ve said from the beginning, [Harris] has an outstanding list of people from which to choose, and we’ll all work to make sure she wins,” Cooper added.

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— Roy Cooper (@RoyCooperNC) July 30, 2024

A source involved with Harris’ search for a VP told NBC News that the 67-year-old Cooper asked to be removed from the shortlist because he plans on running for Senate in 2026. Both North Carolina Senate seats are held by Republicans, and the GOP has a veto-proof majority in the state legislature. Trump won the state in both 2016 and 2020.

The North Carolina governor’s second term will end at the beginning of 2025, and Cooper has endorsed Democratic candidate Josh Stein to take his place. Stein is running against Republican Mark Robinson, a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump.

Harris’ list of potential running mates is shrinking as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also said earlier this week that she is not being vetted, adding, “I have communicated with everyone, including the campaign, that I’ve made a commitment to serve out my term as governor in Michigan.”

“I can be an excellent ally to a President Harris and I can be a great co-chair of the Harris campaign from my place as governor. So I am not a part of the vetting,” Whitmer said.

Harris’ shortlist includes Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Bloomberg reported. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is also reportedly in the running. Biden cabinet members, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo are also being floated as potential VP picks.