Gov. Shapiro Cancels Weekend Plans Amid Speculation Over VP Pick

Gov. Josh Shapiro has cancelled his weekend plans as the nation awaits Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision on her presidential running mate.

The Democratic candidate’s list of finalists, according to multiple reports, includes Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

Some reports on Thursday suggested that Shapiro and Beshear remained among the top contenders for the vice-presidential bid. However, the Harris campaign hasn’t released much on the contenders.

Shapiro, a Montgomery County resident, does not plan to appear at two fundraising events in the Hamptons that were set for this weekend, according to a CNBC story.

“The governor’s trip was planned several weeks ago and included several fundraisers for his own campaign committee. His schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to the Hamptons this weekend,” Shapiro spokesperson Manuel Bonder told ABC News.

A source told NBC News that Shapiro met with Harris’ vetting team on Wednesday without Harris being present. Kelly and Pritzker have also spoken with the vetting team.

On Tuesday, Harris said she had “not yet” chosen her running mate when reporters asked her.

Harris, who only took over the top of the ticket last week, is expected to announce her running mate by next Tuesday when she holds a rally in Philadelphia to kick off a battleground state campaign tour, according to reports and an event listing posted by the Harris campaign.

Rumors and speculation about Shapiro being the pick swirled after news of the planned Philadelphia rally broke. Pennsylvania is a key swing state that both Harris and former President Donald Trump are eager to win.

Like Shapiro, Walz also changed his plans for this weekend and will add a trip to New Hampshire, according to WMUR-TV.

Beshear had planned to visit a distillery in Kentucky on Friday, but the governor canceled his appearance the day before, according to the Kentucky Lantern, a news outlet.

In a Thursday story, Politico reported that Buttigieg is ending his visit to Indiana early, because of “unforeseen scheduling constraints.”

Shapiro, who polling has shown is a popular governor, has served in his current office since January 2023. He previously served as Pennsylvania attorney general and a state representative.