Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday morning that he did not submit or have been asked to submit verification paperwork to be considered for consideration as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate. He again ignored questions at another news event Wednesday about whether he was part of the vice presidential selection process.
That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, though, and his comments did not peaceful speculation he would influence Harris’ decision.
But for Pennsylvania Senate Democrats, the prospect of a first-term Democratic governor taking senior office could add fresh urgency to their bid to take control of the upper chamber in November.
Widespread speculation that Shapiro is the Democratic nominee intensified after President Joe Biden dropped his re-election bid and endorsed Harris, who on Monday evening had more than enough state delegates involved to support her candidacy for president.
Harris is expected to make a decision soon, with less than a month left until the Democratic National Convention.
According to the Pennsylvania ConstitutionIf Shapiro were to resign as governor, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis would become governor and serve the remainder of his term. Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) would then become lieutenant governor.
But the timing of Shapiro’s potential resignation would be crucial. And that’s where Senate control becomes really significant in this trial.
Jerry Dickinson, associate dean of the University of Pittsburgh Law School, said that unless the Legislature passes otherwise, Ward would become lieutenant governor in January 2025 if Shapiro resigns as governor in January 2025.
But if Democrats flip the Senate in November, then the newly elected Democratic Senate majority leader pro tempore would become lieutenant governor, Dickinson explained. That’s because members of the state House and Senate take oaths of office First Tuesday in January when lieutenant governors and governors take the oath of office third Tuesday in January.
Even if elected, Shapiro would not have to resign as governor immediately. He could continue to serve in office while campaigning until he and Harris are sworn in on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2025.
In this scenario, the fresh majority Democratic Senate would have a few weeks to elect a president pro tempore, who would then be promoted to lieutenant governor a few weeks later when Shapiro takes the oath of office as vice president and Lieutenant Governor Davis becomes governor.
Republicans hold a 28-22 majority in the Senate, a chamber they have controlled since 1994. Democrats have expressed optimism that they could take control of the Senate this fall, but Republicans have pledged to maintain their majority.
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