Here’s what Mandy Cohen said about her future plans — and whether she’d run for office

Dr. Mandy Cohen didn’t reveal her future career plans Tuesday for when she steps down as secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

But she offered some clues to reporters during a COVID-19 response news briefing a few hours after her announcement. That included addressing questions about her future political ambitions.

“I’m not planning to run for office,” Cohen said. “I am looking at opportunities that allow me to continue this impact to the health and well-being of communities. I do not know what that will look like exactly yet, but no plans to run for office.”

Cohen, who has been the face of North Carolina’s coronavirus pandemic response, was asked whether that could change when candidate filing for the 2022 elections starts next week.

“No, I do not plan to to file and run in any public office,” she said. “I’m looking at a range of opportunities.”

But first, she wants to spend time with husband and two daughters and other family members.

Cohen said she told Gov. Roy Cooper, whose Cabinet she has been apart of for the past five years, about her plans weeks ago. There wasn’t one moment that led to that decision, she told reporters.

“It’s been an evolution,” Cohen said. “Certainly the last two years have been quite a marathon, and I’m so proud of all the work that we’ve been able to accomplish.”

She said as she saw the state coming down off the delta variant surge and “things getting more stable,” she watched her team’s response with pride.

“I felt like I was able to now step back and pass the baton,” she said.

Cohen said she told Cooper her plans “a number of weeks ago” so they could plan the transition for her successor. Cooper named Kody Kinsley, who is currently chief deputy secretary, to replace Cohen starting Jan. 1.

Cohen said she doubts that Tuesday’s briefing would be her last public appearance, given her month left on the job still and the “evolving” situation with the coronavirus pandemic.

“January 1st, I’ll still be spending time with my family, for sure,” she said.

Cohen said she will also take a trip with her mom and sister later in January.

She said she and her family have fallen in love with living in North Carolina and “I hope that my next steps will be able to keep us here.”

After President Joe Biden was elected, media outlets suggested she was being considered to join his administration. In November 2020, Cohen said she was “focused here on making sure the folks in North Carolina stay safe, particularly around the holidays, and I’m going to keep focused on that.”