Gov. Shapiro Isn’t Democratic VP Pick

Gov. Josh Shapiro will be keeping his job in the Keystone State.

Vice President Kamala Harris, of California, picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate in her bid for the White House, according to the AP and CNN.

Harris has locked up much Democratic support, and speculation had swirled as to whether Shapiro would be her running mate.

Shapiro came out in early support for Harris after President Joe Biden announced he would end his candidacy for reelection on July 20.

Shapiro and Harris spoke the day it was announced she was to become the Democratic candidate for president. He has campaigned for her since across the state.

Harris’ team was interviewing six possible choices over the weekend before making an announcement, according to The Associated Press.

In addition to Shapiro, Harris was reported to have been considering Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the key role.

According to reporting, Walz and Shapiro were the two final choices Harris considered.

Betting sites had favored Shapiro and Walz as the leading candidates for the number 2 spot on the Democratic ticket.

The Democrat’s vice presidential pick will make their debut at a rally with Harris Tuesday evening at an arena in Philadelphia. Several Bucks County politicians are expected to attend.

Shapiro, who assumed the governorship last January after a double-digit victory over far-right State Sen. Doug Mastriano, has risen as a prominent figure within the national Democratic Party.

His time as governor has been marked by positive approval numbers in polls and many speculating a future presidential run.

The governor is often seen attending events with bipartisan groups of lawmakers and participating in events throughout the commonwealth. His communications team frequently posts about the events on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X, which was formerly called Twitter.

Shapiro served as state attorney general from 2017 to 2023, chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners from 2011 to 2017, and as state representative from 2005 to 2011.

Raised in Montgomery County, Shapiro’s early career included roles on Capitol Hill with U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, Congressman Peter Deutsch, Congressman Joe Hoeffel, and U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli.

His father, a pediatrician and former U.S. Navy serviceman, and his mother, a retired educator, influenced Shapiro’s commitment to public service, according to his official biography.

Shapiro is married to his high-school sweetheart Lori, a native of Lower Makefield Township. The couple frequently visit Bucks County and fondly recall their courtship in the area, the governor has said.

The state’s first couple are parents to four children: Sophia, 22; Jonah, 19; Max, 15; and Reuben, 13.

As governor, Shapiro has promised to safeguard voting and abortion rights, raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, support law enforcement and teachers, expand workforce training, invest in infrastructure, support the energy economy while managing carbon output, reform higher education, increase state support for education, grow the business sector, and back union workers.

Despite his broad support, Shapiro has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle at times.

Some Democratic groups have expressed angry with his support for expanding taxpayer funds for private schools, a measure that has yet to pass in Harrisburg.

Some conservative groups have criticized him for not fulfilling expansion of taxpayer dollars for private schools, including recent TV ads on the subject.

Last week, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on an opinion article Shapiro wrote in 1993 when he was a 20-year-old college student. He wrote in the opinion column that peace “will never come” to the Middle East and described Palestinians as “too battle-minded” to coexist with Israel.

When asked about the article, Shapiro responded, “I was 20,” and the governor added that he has been in support of a two-state solution. He expressed hope for peace in the region.

There has also been criticism of Shapiro’s office’s handling of a sexual assault settlement involving a former top aide, where the state paid $295,000 to settle a female staffer’s complaint. Shapiro’s office told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star that it takes any allegation “extremely seriously.” The governor said he supports bills to expand accountability and transparency in government.

Shapiro’s administration has adopted the slogan “GSD,” which stands for “get s**t done.”

Shapiro has highlighted his experience as attorney general, his efforts to address a multi-million dollar deficit in Montgomery County, and his ability to broker compromises as key components of his leadership style.

The governor has worked hard to craft an image as a bipartisan leader focused on solutions.

In the wake of the October 7 attack on Israel, Shapiro has voiced support for Israel while condemning extreme pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. He has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for policies that, he argues, compromised the nation’s safety leading up to the recent conflict.

Shapiro faces opposition from far-left activists over his stance on Israel through an online campaign titled “No Genocide Josh”, which contends that Shapiro could hinder Harris’s efforts to attract working-class, progressive, and young voters.

The country has yet to elect a Jewish president or vice president. However, Harris’ husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, is Jewish.