As chatter grew last week about the likelihood of President Joe Biden quitting the race for the 2024 presidential election, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s name repeatedly cropped up as a likely running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris.
On Sunday, President Biden confirmed the speculation by announcing that he would not seek re-election. With Biden’s endorsement, Harris is now positioned as the Democratic nominee for president, shifting the focus to potential vice-presidential candidates, including Shapiro. This decision comes just weeks before the Democratic convention in Chicago, where delegates will formally select the party’s nominee.
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that Shapiro is among several potential vice-presidential picks being vetted in a process supported by major Democratic donors. Other names on the list include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
Shapiro’s potential to secure Pennsylvania’s crucial electoral votes is considered a key asset. The 51-year-old Georgetown Law graduate was elected governor in 2022, defeating state Senator Doug Mastriano by nearly 15 percentage points. Before his gubernatorial tenure, Shapiro served as the state attorney general and a state representative from Montgomery County, just north of Philadelphia.
Shapiro gained national attention in June 2023, following the collapse of the I-95 overpass in Philadelphia. The overpass was reopened within two weeks, showcasing his effective leadership during a crisis. His prominence was further highlighted after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler County on July 13, where Shapiro’s leadership received praise from GOP Senate nominee Dave McCormick.
Chris Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, described Shapiro as a “slam dunk” for the Democrats. “He’s from Pennsylvania, the most coveted swing state,” Borick said. “He’s very popular here, with high approval ratings as governor, and he’s seen as a rising star within the party.”
Borick emphasized that Shapiro’s Pennsylvania ties give him a competitive edge over other Democratic governors like Beshear and Cooper. “Kentucky is not a competitive state, North Carolina is fairly competitive but still a reach for Democrats,” he explained. “Pennsylvania is the Holy Grail of electoral politics right now, and having a popular governor from that state on your ticket would be incredibly coveted.”
Though Shapiro has only served two years as governor, Borick noted that this might not be a significant weakness compared to GOP vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, who has been a U.S. senator for less than two years. “Shapiro’s work as attorney general demonstrates his engagement in key issues for a longer period,” he said.
As attorney general, Shapiro oversaw an investigation into sexual abuse by members of the Roman Catholic Church, resulting in a report that alleged over 1,000 children were molested by more than 300 priests since the 1940s.
Political strategist Samuel Chen of the Liddell Group acknowledged that Shapiro’s relatively short political tenure could be a drawback, though less so than Vance’s. “Shapiro’s resume is both a strength and a liability when it comes to the electoral side of the issue,” Chen said. He added that while Shapiro has had moments in the national spotlight, he is not yet a household name, unlike Vance, whose book “Hillbilly Elegy” became a best-seller and a movie, garnering widespread attention.
Chen suggested that voters disenchanted with traditional politicians might be attracted to Vance’s lack of extensive political experience. Borick, however, argued that a shorter resume might be advantageous since longer tenures often come with more potential blemishes.
Shapiro has faced scrutiny for receiving gifts from donors, including courtside seats to Philadelphia 76ers games, which his campaign described as “political meetings.”
If Shapiro were to join Harris and win the election, he would follow in the footsteps of former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, who left office to serve as the first secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush following the September 11 attacks. Shapiro would also become the highest-ranking Jewish politician in American history, which Chen suggested could help garner support from Jewish voters disillusioned with the Democratic Party’s stance on Israel and Gaza.
If Shapiro were to leave office before the end of his term, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis would become governor. According to Pennsylvania’s line of succession, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, a Republican from Westmoreland County, would become lieutenant governor, marking the first time the state’s second-in-command was not from the same party as the governor since Joe Scarnati, a Republican, assumed the role after the death of Democrat Catherine Baker Knoll in 2008.
Following Biden’s announcement, Shapiro tweeted a tribute to the president: “President Biden is a patriot who has served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history. President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom. I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania — the Commonwealth that raised him.”
Shapiro did not immediately address his future plans in his tweet. Later, he released a statement endorsing Harris and highlighting the importance of unity within the Democratic Party. “The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency,” Shapiro said. “The contrast in this race could not be clearer, and the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania.”
Pennsylvania Democrats quickly rallied behind Harris. Senator Bob Casey endorsed her, emphasizing the stakes of the election and Harris’s preparedness to be Commander-in-Chief. Representative Summer Lee also reiterated her support, urging unity to defeat Trump and fascism. Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton praised Harris’s qualifications and suggested Shapiro as her ideal running mate due to his success in a battleground state.
Shapiro’s record of working with a divided legislature to pass significant legislation, including correcting decades of inequitable school funding and returning tax dollars to seniors, bolsters his qualifications. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and other prominent Pennsylvania Democrats echoed their support for Harris and Shapiro.
While Shapiro has publicly denied interest in the presidency, the political landscape has shifted dramatically with Biden’s withdrawal. As the Democratic Party navigates this transition, the selection of a vice-presidential candidate will be crucial in solidifying support and securing victory in the upcoming election.
