Vice President Kamala Harris is gearing up for the 2024 election, with speculation heating up about her potential running mate. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is considered to be one of her top picks, as his popularity in his home state could help Harris secure Pennsylvania’s crucial 19 electoral votes. Shapiro, a former state representative, county commissioner, and attorney general, won the gubernatorial election in 2022 by a significant margin after spending a state-record $73 million on his campaign.
Shapiro’s popularity is evident in recent polling, with 56% of Pennsylvanians approving of his job performance. His reputation for accomplishments, including leading the investigation into the Catholic Church’s cover-up of child sexual abuse and successfully managing the repair of a collapsed section of I-95, have drawn national attention. If chosen as Harris’ VP pick, Shapiro would bring diversity to the ticket as the first Jewish vice president.
The buzz around Shapiro as a potential running mate for Harris has intensified in recent days, especially after President Joe Biden suspended his reelection campaign. While Harris has not made a decision yet, her upcoming swing-state tour with her VP pick has added fuel to the speculation. Shapiro’s odds of being chosen have skyrocketed according to betting sites, but Harris’ campaign is cautioning against reading too much into the location of the first event in Philadelphia, as previous VP announcements did not take place in the running mate’s home state.
Josh Shapiro’s background includes a successful political career in Pennsylvania, where he outperformed Biden in every county during his 2022 gubernatorial win. However, some critics argue that his victory was against a weak candidate and may not necessarily translate to securing the state’s electoral votes for Harris. Shapiro has faced criticism for issues like a sexual harassment settlement involving a top aide in his office and his alignment with moderate policies, such as school vouchers and corporate tax cuts.
Former President Donald Trump has labeled Shapiro as a far-left Democrat, criticizing his tenure as attorney general and blaming him for what he perceives as lawlessness in Philadelphia. Shapiro’s support for Israel and stance against antisemitism have also garnered attention, but his policies and decisions regarding free speech and Palestinian protests have faced backlash. Despite this, Shapiro has expressed support for Harris and her presidential campaign, pledging to do everything he can to help elect her as the 47th President of the United States.
As the speculation around Kamala Harris and Josh Shapiro as a potential ticket intensifies, the upcoming swing-state tour and campaign events will likely continue to fuel excitement and intrigue in the 2024 election. Shapiro’s electoral success in Pennsylvania, combined with his diverse background and accomplishments, make him a compelling VP pick for Harris as they aim to secure crucial swing states and ultimately the presidency.
