The shortlist of candidates under consideration to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate has gotten shorter.
On Monday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said he was bowing out of the candidate pool to be Harris’ vice president, Reuters reported.
“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 statement.
Cooper is not the only candidate to step away from consideration Monday.
The IJR previously reported that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said she was committed to staying on as governor.
“I have communicated with everyone, including the people of Michigan, that I’m going to stay as governor until the end of my term at the end of 2026,” Whitmer said.
Harris has held private conversations with some of the top contenders, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, according to two sources familiar with the calls, Reuters reported.
Others on the shortlist are Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Buttigieg, who also talked privately with Harris, is considered an unlikely pick, per two sources familiar with the event.
Buttigieg told a group of donors from his 2020 presidential bid that he wanted the job, but would respect the process, according to the sources.
