Alison Joyce/AFP/Getty Images
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper speaks at a Biden-Harris campaign event at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina on July 11.
CNN
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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has withdrawn from being a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
Cooper, who is considered the leading candidate to become lieutenant governor, has reportedly expressed misgivings about going through the process of running for vice president at age 67. Democrats have also raised concerns about the state’s Republican lieutenant governor, Mark Robinson, who is mandated by the state constitution to act for the governor when the governor is out of state.
CNN has reached out to a representative for Cooper. The Harris campaign declined to comment.
The governor’s decision to withdraw his name as Ms. Harris’ running mate is just the latest sign that the search for a nominee has entered a new phase, two people familiar with the matter said.
Mr Cooper is the oldest candidate and has known Ms Harris the longest, but his age was seen as at odds with Ms Harris’s focus on fielding a younger, more dynamic candidate, the people said.
Polling and investigations are underway for other potential candidates, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, according to people familiar with the matter.
A decision could be made as soon as this week, but is expected to be made by Aug. 7.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
