Cooper, 67, was initially seen as a top contender because of his longstanding relationship with Harris and his success in winning statewide in North Carolina, where he has never lost an election. Democrats are hoping to win the state’s 16 electoral votes in November, and some believed elevating Cooper could put them over the top in a state where Biden narrowly lost in 2020.
The relationship between Harris and Cooper dates to a period when both served as attorneys general of their respective states.
It was not immediately clear why Cooper took himself out of contention, and spokespeople for Cooper and the Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cooper’s withdrawal was first reported by The New York Times.
Other top contenders for the job, all of whom have been participating in events that serve as vice presidential auditions of sorts, include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Harris is also said to be considering Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has repeatedly said she is not interested in the role, though some Democrats are still encouraging Harris to select her.
In an interview last week with The Washington Post, Cooper declined to comment on his potential interest in the job.
“She has a lot of great people to choose from,” he said. “She has to win. I want her to win. I want her to pick the person that can help her win. I respect her process, and I don’t want to comment on that process.”
Harris has become a regular presence in North Carolina, visiting the state seven times this year. She last traveled there three days before Biden dropped his reelection bid, making a campaign stop in Fayetteville, where Cooper introduced her. Harris later called him a “dear friend,” noting their overlap as their states’ top lawyers.
“I’ve known him for almost two decades,” she said, “and he is an extraordinary leader.”
Cooper was among the earliest names mentioned as a possible running mate for Harris after Biden announced July 21 he would no longer seek reelection. Harris called Cooper in the hours after Biden announced his withdrawal, along with other vice-presidential contenders such as Beshear and Shapiro.
“If you want a nominee who could put Donald Trump’s destruction of Roe v. Wade at center stage, if you want a nominee who actually prosecuted criminals like Donald Trump, and if you want a nominee who could put Trump’s age and fitness in the forefront, Kamala Harris is the person,” Cooper said the next morning on MSNBC.
Harris has tasked Eric Holder, the former attorney general, to lead the vetting process with a team of lawyers at Covington & Burling.
The attorneys began their work last week, and Harris has told aides she wants to pick “a governing partner” who is qualified to serve as president. She also wants a running mate who can help deliver her message of fighting for the middle class and protecting democracy and freedoms, according to the person familiar with the deliberations.