Could Josh Shapiro Be Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidential Candidate?

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is one of the leading candidates to be Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race.

Shapiro, 51, is a first-term Democratic governor in a critical battleground state that has emerged as key to Democratic victory in November. The former state attorney general and Abington native is a seasoned communicator who has built a political brand of bipartisanship and earned praise from within his own party and from some Republicans.

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He is one of several people being considered, according to press reports and conversations with Biden donors and allies.

Speculation surrounding Shapiro began weeks ago, as rumors grew about who could replace Biden. Shapiro had been considered in polls as a top option and recently as a running mate alongside Harris.

Other names being considered by leading Democrats for vice presidential candidate include North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Shapiro, who is widely known for his nationwide political ambitions, has given no indication in recent weeks that he is interested in the rumors and has doubled down on his support for Biden’s candidacy.

On Sunday, Shapiro released statement praising Biden as “one of the most important presidents in modern history.” He did not endorse Harris or mention the upcoming campaign.

Yet across Pennsylvania, many Democrats sought to promote him as a potential vice presidential candidate.

Philadelphia Democratic Party Chairman Bob Brady said Shapiro is on the short list of vice presidential candidates and will represent him.

“I tell them this, no questions asked” [Shapiro] “He would do them proud,” Brady said. “He would do a great job, secure a spot in Pennsylvania. He’s a great speaker and would be a great addition to the roster.”

Alan Kessler, a prominent Biden fundraiser, dismissed the suggestion that Shapiro’s interest might be limited to Pennsylvania, saying he has been contacted by national donors who recognize the state’s importance.

“Look, you can see the battlefield map has expanded a little bit over the last few weeks, but it starts and ends with Pennsylvania,” Kessler said.

But donors and party officials don’t make the decisions. If Harris is nominated, she would have the final say in choosing her vice presidential running mate.

“So we can all speculate and blow the whistle on names like Josh and Beshear and others,” Kessler said. “But ultimately, she will have the same right that any other presidential candidate has to choose her vice presidential running mate.”

Harris and Shapiro have some things in common: They were often on the trail together in crucial Pennsylvania in both 2020 and 2024, including last week when they visited Reading Terminal Market to campaign for Biden together.

Both are former prosecutors, and a top Harris staffer is from Pennsylvania. Her former deputy chief of staff, Erin Wilson, who worked for both the state party and Sen. Bob Casey, is now deputy director of political strategy at the White House.

“There are other good options, but I don’t know if there’s a better option than Shapiro for vice president,” said Democratic strategist Sean Coit, who previously worked for Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a longtime Biden ally.

“He just won one of the three most important states in the country by 14 points, he led through crises, and he can speak persuasively about choice, the economy, and protecting American democracy,” Coit said. “He’s also someone that Democrats in D.C. and donors across the country have seen as the next president for years. And a former prosecutor and a former attorney general strike me as a good candidate when you’re up against a convicted felon.”

It remains unclear whether Shapiro is working behind the scenes to become Harris’ vice presidential candidate or is simply welcoming rumors of such a possibility.

“I’m sure he would want that,” Brady said, adding that he had not spoken to Shapiro directly about the matter. “Why do you deny being vice president?”