Vetting process slows Cooper choosing cabinet members

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov.-elect Roy Cooper has yet to announce a single cabinet appointment with less than four days from his official inauguration

Eyewitness News anchor Blaine Tollison spoke to an expert about how a new law requiring Senate confirmation could impact Cooper's appointments.

Cooper is fighting an uphill battle appointing members of his cabinet, but in a recent interview with Eyewitness News, he was still positive about his inauguration, calling it the greatest honor of his life.

"We're going to celebrate a new day for North Carolina,” Cooper said.

However, Cooper and his transition team are making up for lost time after two special sessions, including one where the Republican-led General Assembly stripped Cooper of some of his power.

Among the bills passed, a requirement for Cooper's appointments to his cabinet has to be vetted by the state Senate first.

Since then, some of his nominees have backed out, likely not wanting to be publicly scrutinized.

"I don't think it is surprising that people might be reluctant to go through this vetting process," Karen Kedrowski, a political science professor at Winthrop University, said.

Kedrowski believes those nominees could endure a rigorous background check.

"Potential appointees are right to be skeptical because they don't know exactly how in-depth the background checks are going to be," Kedrowski said.

Kedrowski believes Cooper won't be able to put together a team that shares all of his views.

Ultimately, she said the residents of North Carolina will suffer from a state government at odds.

"This is isn't going to help the reputation of state government in the state, which has suffered both in the state and nationally," Kedrowski said.

House Bill 17 is the bill limiting Coopers' power, and it also only allows Cooper to appoint 425 state employees, compared to current Gov. Pat McCrory's 1,500.

Cox Media Group