CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper praised Vice President Kamala Harris for picking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, saying Walz "knows what it takes" to be an effective leader.
Cooper issued a brief statement on Harris' announcement on Tuesday.
"Kamala Harris has picked an outstanding running mate in Governor Tim Walz," Cooper said. "Governors like him know what it takes to get the job done, and he will be an outstanding Vice President, doubling down on his work to support middle class families, protect reproductive freedom, and safeguard our democracy."
Cooper, who is finishing out his second term in North Carolina and can't seek reelection, was initially one of the contenders to be Harris' running mate. Cooper quickly bowed out, citing concerns over Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's potential actions should he be named acting governor if Cooper was out of state for campaign events.
Cooper has been a longtime supporter of both President Joe Biden and Harris, saying he is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure Democrats defeat Donald Trump in November's election.
Cooper has reportedly been linked to a possible U.S. Senate run in the future. His appeal as a two-term governor in a swing state made him a popular name for Democrats as a potential vice president.
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