Governor Josh Shapiro, an Abington native, is one of several people under consideration to be the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Shapiro, 51, is described as a “polished communicator who has built up a political brand of bipartisanship and has earned praise from within his own party, as well as from some Republicans. And he’s long been rumored to have national political ambitions,” the Inquirer said.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Harris held calls on Sunday with Shapiro and two other potential running mates.
He endorsed Harris for president on Sunday:
The contrast in this race could not be clearer and the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania – where this collective work began.
I will do everything I can to help elect @KamalaHarris as the 47th President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/sqCkiAmCV7
— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) July 21, 2024
The New York Post reported today that CNN has been criticized after anchor John King said Shapiro’s nomination would be risky because he’s a first-term governor and he’s Jewish.
Philadelphia Democratic Party chairman Bob Brady endorsed the nomination.
“I am telling them, without question, [Shapiro] would make them proud,” Brady said. “He would do a great job, he would lock in Pennsylvania. He’s a great speaker, and he would be a great addition to the ticket.”
Other politicians top Democrats are considering as a vice presidential pick include North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the Inquirer said.
Shapiro is Pennsylvania’s most popular first-term governor in more than 20 years, according to recent polls.
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Photo: Reuters.com